Durham College to host lacrosse sixes exhibitions Oct. 18 at Vaso’s Field

The Durham College Lords are scheduled to play two lacrosse sixes exhibition games on Sunday, Oct. 18 at Vaso’s Field, facing Mohawk College at 11 a.m. and Fleming College at 3 p.m., according to Durham College.

The exhibitions are part of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association’s inaugural season of lacrosse sixes, a varsity format open to all athletes rather than being divided into men’s and women’s divisions.

Durham College said two women, Jia Leblanc and Natalia Quesnel, are playing for the Lords in the mixed-format season. “It feels really good to be part of something new and help establish a sport that is mixed, especially on a team that is predominantly men,” Quesnel said in a Durham College post dated Oct. 13.

Leblanc and Quesnel are Massage Therapy students at Durham College and also compete in other varsity sports, the college said. Leblanc plays on the women’s soccer team, and Quesnel is on the women’s rugby sevens program.

Both athletes have field lacrosse experience through Lacrosse Canada and the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks women’s program, and Leblanc won an Ontario University Athletics silver medal with the Ridgebacks, according to Durham College.

Lacrosse sixes is played on a 70-by-36-metre surface, smaller than field lacrosse, with six players per side.

Leblanc said she had not previously played on a team alongside men. “I hope being out there shows that women belong in this environment too,” Leblanc said.

Durham College head coach Kyle Curtis said the two players have adapted well to the format. “Jia and Natalia have both been great additions to our group,” Curtis said in the college post.

The OCAA’s first lacrosse sixes showcase was held last month at Rob Ford Stadium in Etobicoke. Durham College said Leblanc and Quesnel appeared in both of the Lords’ games at that event, with each recording a shot on goal and Quesnel adding an assist.