The Victoria Shamrocks are picking up right where they left off.
After going a perfect 18-0 in the 2024 regular season, the Shamrocks opened their 2025 campaign with back-to-back wins this past weekend, stretching their regular season win streak to 22 games and sending a message to the rest of the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA): nothing’s changed on the Island.
They kicked things off Friday night in front of a packed and rowdy crowd at The Q Centre, where 2,653 fans shook the building as Victoria put together a commanding 11-5 win over the visiting Maple Ridge Burrards.
Clarke Petterson led the charge with a four-goal, five-point performance, earning first-star honours.
He had help from Kyle Pepper, who notched a pair, and Elijah Gash, who chipped in two points to round out the game’s top three stars.
The Shamrocks dictated the tempo all night, outshooting the Burrards 55-34 and controlling possession in a way that left Maple Ridge scrambling.
One night later, the Shamrocks hit the road and found themselves in a tighter contest, edging the Coquitlam Adanacs 10-9 in what was billed as the WLA game of the week. The margin may have been smaller, but the star power stayed the same.
BLINK AND YOU MISS IT! Shamrocks first goal of the game#wlalacrosse pic.x.com/Y30drquDco
— Western Lacrosse Association (@WLALacrosse) May 25, 2025
Matthew Gauthier exploded for eight points, factoring in on all but two of Victoria’s goals in the win. Petterson followed up his Friday night heroics with another seven-point showing – one goal and six assists – continuing his early-season tear.
"It started in the first period, and working with my teammates," Gauthier said. "You know, first two games of the year, so you really want to build that chemistry."
Despite being away from home, Victoria wasn’t alone in Coquitlam. A small army of Shamrocks faithful made the trip across the strait to support their team, and the players noticed.
"We have the best fans in the Western Lacrosse Association," Gauthier said. "It is really fun to play in front of them."
Gauthier and Petterson both ended the weekend with 12 points – tied for second in league scoring behind only Tyler Pace of the New Westminster Salmonbellies.
Goaltending duties were split over the weekend, with Chris Origlieri and Cam Dunkerley each picking up a win. It’s a luxury most teams don’t have, but one the Shamrocks will lean on as they gear up for another deep run.
And while the green-and-white have looked every bit as dominant as they did last season, they’ve yet to dress their full roster.
Victoria is still awaiting the arrival of their biggest off-season acquisition, Zach Manns.
The Victoria-born forward recently wrapped up his NLL season with the Saskatchewan Rush, who fell to the Buffalo Bandits in the NLL championship on Saturday. He’s expected to join the Shamrocks in the coming weeks.
Up next, Victoria returns to The Q Centre for a Friday night clash with the Burnaby Lakers on May 30 before heading north up the Island to face rival Nanaimo Timbermen.
