Zander Torres was, literally, a one-man wrecking crew Thursday, July 10.
The Kelowna Raiders forward scored eight times – three more than his opponent's total – and chipped in three assists to lead the defending B.C. Senior C Lacrosse Champions to a 19-5 romp over the hometown Vernon Tigers at Kal Tire Place.
The win clinched the Thompson Okanagan Senior Lacrosse League best-of-three semifinal for the Raiders, and moved Kelowna to the Rowcliffe Cup final.
Scoring champion Andrew Garant outdid his teammate point-wise, finishing with a baker's dozen on four goals and nine helpers.
Brad Swecera (three assists) and Parker Beaudry (2A) each had two goals while single markers went to Keegan Cochrane (3A), Mitch Parker, and Leigh Kinakin.
Veteran Graham Cousins made 35 saves in goal for Kelowna.
Darcy Rhodes had 2+2 to lead the Tigers, who played with just 14 runners. Jacob Brewer had 2+1 and Ryan Johnson added 1+1 for Vernon. Derek Pereboom finished the night with 50 saves in goal for the Cats.
Kelowna will take on the winner of the other league semifinal between the Armstrong Shamrocks and Kamloops Rattlers, with the defending playoff champion Irish down 1-0 after the Snakes took the opener, 9-5, on their home floor.
Game 2 is tonight, Friday, July 11, at 7:30 p.m. at Armstrong's Sunbelt Arena.
If Game 3 is necessary, it will be played Sunday, July 13, in Kamloops at the Memorial Arena (7:30 p.m. start).
