The Lakers defended their home field and won the Laker Shootout last weekend. The team allowed no goals over the final two games.
Their first match against Hannibal was a back-and-forth affair that eventually went into sudden-death overtime tied at four.
Drew Whitney scored his second goal of the game in overtime to give the Lakers the win. Rayder Bennett also added two goals in the match while Nate Buttram added one.
Head coach Jason Ingold felt this win put the team on notice that they’d have to bring their best game in order to win.
“I think it was a wake up call (that) you can’t overlook anybody,” Ingold said. “You can’t have an off-night and expect to have a good result.”
After allowing four goals in the first game, the Laker defense and goalie Ryan Moriarty tightened up and did not allow another goal the rest of the tournament.
In the Lakers 2-0 victory over Fulton, Jeff Moffitt and Ethan Castle put balls in the back of the net. This was Castle’s first goal of the season.
Going into their final game against Springfield Classic, the Lakers knew what was in front of them. A win or a tie would give them their home championship. A loss and it was over.
Springfield Catholic presented challenges that most teams do not according to Ingold. The Fighting Irish use three forwards instead of the traditional two, and do not play with an outside midfielder. This forced the Lakers to make defensive adjustments.
The final contest was a physical affair, as the Lakers were given two yellow cards in the game. At halftime the score was tied at zero.
Bennett gave the Lakers the lead with 34:41 left in the second half when he crashed the goal and pounded a rebound into an empty net.
After the goal, the Fighting Irish put  the pressure on the Lakers. They totaled eight shots in the game, however only three were on net.
Moriarty made several big saves down the stretch preserve the Lakers 1-0 victory.

Road to the championship

Friday
Camdenton     5
Hanibal    4

Saturday
Camdenton    2
Fulton    0

Camdenton    1
Springfield Catholic    0
 

Lakers by the numbers
Rayder Bennett        3 goals
Drew Whitney        2 goals
Nate Buttram        1 goal
Jeff Moffitt        1 goal
Ethan Castle        1 goal
Ryan Moriarty        2           shutouts
   

Contact this reporter at lakesports@
lakesunleader .com