The Trent Excalibur Men’s lacrosse team is gearing up to defend their national championship title as they proudly host the 2023 Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association (CUFLA) Baggataway Cup. The championship event is scheduled to take place at Justin Chiu Stadium at Trent University from November 3 to November 5, 2023.
Nathan McFadden, the director of Trent Athletics, expressed the university’s excitement, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome student-athletes, fans, and alumni for the second year in a row to the 2023 Baggataway Cup Championship. The weekend will be an opportunity to witness the spirit of competition as the best teams in the country vie for the coveted Baggataway Cup at Trent’s Justin Chiu Stadium. We encourage visitors to explore our beautiful campus while cheering on our Trent Excalibur.”
The Trent Excalibur Men’s lacrosse team had a historic 2022/23 season, marking their first Baggataway Cup Championship win in the team’s history following an undefeated season. This season, they finished tied with Carleton University for first place in the East Division with an 8-2 record, putting them in a good position to defend their title despite a second-place ranking due to tie-breaking procedures.
Mark Farthing, head coach of the team, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We have had another strong season, undefeated at home. Having the opportunity to compete for the national championship is a testament to the team’s dedication, and we are excited to pursue the cup again in front of the most passionate fan base in CUFLA.”
The Baggataway Cup action kicks off with the first quarterfinal game on Friday at 4:30 p.m. The second quarter-final game follows at 7:30 p.m., with semi-finals scheduled for Saturday. The Baggataway Cup final is set to take place on Sunday at 2:00 p.m., followed by an awards presentation.
The event is family-friendly and offers a variety of amenities, including food trucks, Baggataway Cup merchandise for sale, and a high level of lacrosse competition. Day passes for the quarter or semi-final games are priced at $10, while tickets for Sunday’s gold medal game can be purchased for $15. A championship tournament pass is available for $30. Trent students, children under 12, and youth wearing their Trent Excalibur Summer Camp shirts can attend for free.
This year marks the third time Trent University has hosted the Baggataway Cup since the team’s inception into CUFLA in 2007. The Cup was first hosted at Trent in 2012, and the university is once again prepared to welcome lacrosse enthusiasts from across the nation for an exciting weekend of competition and camaraderie. Complete schedule and game updates can be found on Trent’s website.
(Written by: Scott Arnold)