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Bandits top Pioneers to capture league finals

The Ladner Pioneers were knocked out of the West Coast Senior Lacrosse Association finals with a 15-5 loss to the Tri-City Bandits on Saturday. The Pioneers lost 8-5 at home on Thursday to set up Saturday's do-or-die game.

The Ladner Pioneers were knocked out of the West Coast Senior Lacrosse Association finals with a 15-5 loss to the Tri-City Bandits on Saturday.

The Pioneers lost 8-5 at home on Thursday to set up Saturday's do-or-die game.

Tri-City had a 5-4 lead after the first period and poured it on in the second frame, scoring five times.

"We just ran out of everything. We were missing a whole bunch of the veterans," says Ladner coach Bob Taylor, adding that some players were away because of prior commitments. "We just didn't have the veterans to lead us. That was the biggest thing out of it all. It was just a bit of mental breakdown because of that."

The Pioneers scored once in the third while the Bandits added another five tallies.

Although it was reported the Pioneers would have the chance to go to the President's Cup Senior "B" National Championships back east regardless of the outcome of the West Coast Senior Lacrosse Association finals, Taylor says Ladner won't be taking part.

"At this point I don't know if there's anybody going because the winner says that they're not going," he says, noting that it's a league issue and he's not involved in it.

The Bandits declared before the finals started they would not be competing at the President's Cup because of the hefty cost to attend. The nationals are being hosted this year by the Akwesasne Mohawks Nation, located on Quebec/ Ontario border.