Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart 
(christianjstewart.zenfolio.com)

The Claremont High School Lacrosse Academy is hosting the 7th Annual "Spartan Shoot Out "Field Lacrosse Tournament this weekend with games taking place at Topaz Park and UVIC.

There are eleven teams in the tournament including five from Claremont (3 on the senior side and 2 on the junior side) as well as both senior and junior squads from New Westminster, Heritage Woods and Mercer Island in Washington State.

Claremont White Junior player Jake Krismer charges to the net for one of his two goals against New Westminster on Friday morning.

Despite bad weather on Thursday, the Claremont teams managed to play a first round of prelimninary games, while the travelling teams had a few transportation issues and delays, but managed to get to Victoria in time for all of Thursday's games.

Claremont White Junior player Nick Preston takes a whack to the arm, while trying to get by a New Westminster defender in Friday morning action.

Claremont Head Coach Darren Reiseg noted, "Yesterday was a bit sketchy and some teams were delayed, but they are here. I have a Plan B schedule in my back pocket if we have additional weather issues, but its a great day today so hopefully we won't need it."

Claremont White's James Thompson is about to get whacked from New Westminster's Dave Darby during Junior action Friday morning.

In Friday morning tournament action, highlights included a Claremont White 7-6 win over the New Westminster Hyacks in junior action and a Claremont Black 17-1 drubbing of Heritage Woods in senior action.

Claremont's Kevin Glanfield moves the ball past a Hyack defender during Junior action Friday morning.

In the junior game, the Spartans were led by Colton Merilainen with the hat-trick, while Jake Gnech and Jake Krismer each added a pair. For New Westminster, Dave Darby had a pair while four other players contributed singles in the losing effort.

Claremont White's Braydn Rossett moves the ball past a Hyack defender during the Spartans 7-6 win Friday morning.

In the senior game, Claremont dominated from start to finish, scoring at will against the overmatched Heritage Woods squad. For the Spartans, Scott Slym led the way with four goals, while Jordan Green and Alex Martel had three each. Matt Hamilton and Max Fredrickson contributed a pair of goals each, while Chris Kasper, Jordan Cunningham, and Ryan Taylor rounded out the scoring with a goal each.

Claremont Black's Alex Martel leads a charge upfield in Senior action against Heritage Woods. Martel would score three in the 17-1 Spartan win.

As part of the tournament, there will be a "Friday Night Lights" trio of games at UVIC beginning at 4:30 pm Friday afternoon and ending with the highlight game of the tournament at 7:00 pm as the Claremont Black squad entertains Mercer Island in senior action.

Claremont's Matt Benedict fires a shot on goal during the Senior Spartan's 17-1 win over Heritage Woods.

Admission will be charged to the Friday night games with all proceeds going toward a children's charity.

Games continue on Saturday at UVIC starting at 8:45 am, with the junior final slated for 12:30 pm and the senior final at 4:00 pm, although the senior final may start a bit earlier depending on the timing of the previous game.

Claremon'ts Jordan Cunningham avoids the Heritage Wood attackers as he moves the ball upfield in Senior action Friday morning.

Claremont's Matt Hamilton leaves two Heritage Wood defenders behind during the Spartan's 17-1 win Friday morning.

For more images from Friday mornings action, see Christian J. Stewart's ISN Gallery HERE.

Images will also be available for viewing and purchase at http://christianjstewart.zenfolio.com.