15 May 2023

The weekend of the 21st of April marked Lacrosse Scotland Men’s Box Lacrosse’s 4th consecutive year attending the E-Box invitational (not including Covid years) in Radotin, Czechia (just outside Prague).

E-Box was developed as an invitational tournament for National Programmes to provide them with the opportunity to gain experience and grow their programmes outside of the European and World Championships. In 2018 (Scotland’s first year attending) the team took 12 domestic players, the majority of whom had never played a true box lacrosse game in their life. This year, the team fielded 25 domestic players, many of whom have played for Scotland at the box Worlds and Euros, and 9 of which earned their first Cap in a Scotland sweater. In total, 17 players earned their first Cap for Scotland, highlighting the growth of the programme. 

While the invitational does not have official rankings or a winner, Scotland finished with a record of 3 wins and 1 loss, beating Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium and just narrowly losing to a strong Irish squad.

Needless to say, the weekend was an overwhelming success with future domestic (Tasko Cup) and international (Frank Menschner Cup) trips being planned by Scottish touring teams, and with the Box Worlds in Utica, New York in 2024, we are looking forward to continuing to hit the floor as much as we can. 

Scotland vs Netherlands

Scotland’s first match saw them faceoff against the Dutch, a team that has become a familiar foe at Ebox for the boys in blue. Scotland wasted no time getting on the scoreboard with lefty Thomas Moffat opening the scoring 4 minutes into the game, and Captain Johny Shaw finding the net twice after that. Before the quarter was over, Scotland had potted 3 more goals and had taken a commanding lead. The second period saw more of the same, as Scotland netted 5 in the quarter, with Sam Lewis and Chris Cowieson both scoring their first goals for Scotland. The Netherlands fought back in the third quarter, with both sides scoring three goals. However, Scotland’s defence held tight, led by ground ball hound and all-around good guy Jeremie Baumeister, even with some penalty trouble from Iain Murray who forgot you had to avoid the goalie and Murray Fotheringham who thought he was still on the American football field. The final quarter saw Scotland turn the screws with JJ and Zac Milne, Jack Miles, and Sam Lewis putting the game to rest and securing the victory for the Unicorns. 

Final Score: Scotland 19 Netherlands 10

Man of the Match: Jeremie Baumeister

Scotland vs Belgium

Scotland’s 2nd match was a quick turn-around from its first, with an 11am start on Saturday morning against a feisty Belgium team. As almost a polar opposite to the previous game, Scotland was down 1 to nothing after the first quarter, with only notable brick wall impersonator Craig Mcfeeters keeping the team in the game with some ridiculous saves in goal. After shaking off the rust of the first quarter, the boys turned it on in the second with veteran team member Dr. Tim Mottram opening the scoring with a textbook overhand shot to the bottom corner only 15 seconds into the frame. From there the floodgates opened and Scotland poured in 6 more, including one from rookie Evan Dalziel. Scotland continued its domination into the third quarter with faceoff men Colin Weir and Dom Koyroytsaltis-McQuire earring their paycheques at the faceoff dot, ensuring Scotland was able to keep the pressure on. The fourth quarter saw Scotland cruise to a victory with defenceman Daniel Gilmore learning a lesson about keeping two hands on his stick and John King, Nicholas Brennan, and Craig Thompson providing lockdown D in front of Stu McGregor Dallas until the final buzzer. 

Final Score: Scotland 13 Belgium 4

Man of the Match: Dom Koyroytsaltis-McQuire

Scotland vs Norway

The penultimate match of Scotland’s Ebox tournament saw them take the floor against a strong Norwegian squad. Once again Scotland found its way off to a fast start with Corrie Bruce and Trevor Jackson both finding the back of the net only 30 seconds apart, in a 9-goal first-quarter explosion. The second quarter saw more of the same as Scotland’s transition and defence, spearheaded by speed demons Kyle McKenzie, Nicolo Flemma and Stu Galloway, lent on the experience of Dave Nicholls to battle through Chris Wood forgetting you’re not allowed to check people from behind. The offence utilised the sterling work of the D to fill the net as  John ‘JMac’ McIntyre potted his first of the weekend with help from Edinburgh men’s lacrosse own Tom Becque to push Scotland’s lead to 14-3. The third and fourth quarters saw offensive righties Mason Robbins and Dylan Farrelly slither through the defence for some quality chances on net, and Johny ‘Franchise’ Shaw pad his stats with two more late goals. Overall a fantastic team effort led Scotland to come out with the victory, and begin its preparations for its next game against Ireland. 

Final Score: Scotland 20 Norway 8

Man of the Match: Corrie Bruce

Scotland vs Ireland

Scotland’s final match of the weekend, saw them in a tough game as they had a rematch against Ireland – one of their opening-round opponents at the 2022 Euros. Ireland started the game out without any hesitation, looking to pay Scotland back for their loss at the Euros. Before Scotland had a chance to settle in, Ireland was up 4:1, with only 5 minutes gone in the quarter. To help lift the team and change the tide of the game, Brett Farrelly swapped out Craig McFeeters in net, hoping to give the team a boost going into the second quarter. The change seemed to have worked, as Scotland composed itself and got the score back within three, before succumbing to an Ireland run of four straight goals to close out the half. Going into halftime down by 7, Scotland was put in a tough spot, but they were determined that they would keep fighting. Entering into the third quarter, and following behind some massive bodychecks by Aquaman enthusiast Jorel Doherty, Scotland started to work itself into the game, opening and closing the quarter with goals, but sitting 9 behind the Irish squad. However, there was no quit in this team, as offensive weapons Corrie Bruce, Thomas Moffat, and Chris Cowieson led the charge, to score 10 in the quarter, and bring Scotland back within two. Ultimately the effort fell short, but the boys showed resilience, heart, and determination, and that’s something any Scot can be proud of. 

Final Score: Scotland 18 Ireland 20

Man of the Match: Brett Farrelly

The Scotland Men’s Box Programme would also like to thank:

Doormen: Gareth Roberts and Mike Barclay

Coaches: Mike Simpson and Bob Heyes 

Supporters: Tim Milne, Carina Heyes, Caisa Heyes, Tracey Simpson, Hannah Foxcroft, and all those who made the trip out, or watched on the YouTube streams.