by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
A phone call from a team needing an emergency back up lacrosse goalie spring boarded the opportunity to play. This call launched the goalie’s junior career in 2009. The team was the Akwesasne Indians at the Junior ‘A’ level and the player was Jake Lazore.
Jake Lazore was with the team in 2012 when they moved to the Junior ‘B’ level. He was 10-0 with a 5.69 goals-against average with a .774 save percentage.
Jake Lazore is Mohawk from Akwesasne. His Mohawk name is Káhnekanò:ron. It means “sacred waters.” His parents are David and Lori Lazore and the family’s hometown is Akwesasne, Quebec.
“I’ve played competitively for Akwesasne Jr. ‘A’ Indians, and drafted by Orangeville Northmen in a dispersal draft,” said Jake. “Stayed with my group of close friends in Jr. ‘B’ for the Indians and made a run at the Founders Cup. Played senior ball for Snake Island Muskies of the Three Nations Lacrosse League, playing with Brodie and Pat Merrill, Josh Sanderson and Rusty Krueger and that was a real pleasant experience. I went on to play for the Native Sons in the CanAm league. Also played for the St. Regis Braves of the TNLL.”
“Won the Creators Cup in my first year with the Iroquois Ironmen of Six Nations in the CLAX,” said Jake. “I then played with the Osweken Demons and now Six Nations Snipers of the ALL. Attended NLL training camps for the Philadelphia Wings, New England Black Wolves, Rochester Knighthawks and Halifax Thunderbirds. I’ve played for USA at the 2019 World Indoor Lacrosse Championships earning a Bronze Medal.”
“I was Jake’s lacrosse coach with the Iroquois Ironmen CLAX 2013 Champions,” said Roger Chrysler. “Once we signed him as our goalie, we were in last place with no wins. Went on a seven-game winning streak and included the championship game. He supplied us with leadership and composure on floor and in the locker room. Leader by example! I’m now an assistant coach in the pros NLL team Halifax Thunderbirds, and we invited Jake to our training camp. Made it to last cuts. Very competitive with other goalies and never negative.”
“I coached Jake Lazore/Lazer with the Iroquois Ironmen Lacrosse Team, playing out of Six Nations in the CLAX League,” said Mouser Henry. “He was my #1 goalie, winning the CLAX Creators Cup in 2013. Our team was maybe 0-6 or 7 when I brought Jake in. He was solid, our season turned around with him between the pipes. We needed to win our last five games to get into the playoffs then with the single elimination playoff format, we ran the table with three more wins. While our games were a must win, Jake stood up to the challenge, I knew if he was in net, I believed we were going to win. He brought a positive attitude to the locker room, the team fed off his demeanor. When I talked with Jake, whether in the locker room or at the bench, he always had a confident smile. He would always reply ‘I got this coach’. He would always settle the team down when needed.
“A leader, and great teammate. I am proud to know Jake, and the great opportunity to have coached him. When we see each other at a game, we always go out of our way to say hi,” added Coach Mouser.
Regy Thorpe, 2019 US Men’s Indoor Head Coach and New York Riptide Head Coach and General Manager, said: “Jake was a pleasure to coach during the World Indoor Championships this past September and all of our events leading up to the games. He has high lacrosse IQ, sees the game very well, and works very hard as a student of the game. In addition he’s just a great teammate and really values family. Jake not only played goalie for our team, he played out a few games, as we were short-handed with some of our players still at the PLL Championships. A very versatile player and great leader that will do whatever his team needs him to do.”
“Lacrosse is major part of the community, many of the past players have been role models and lacrosse ties much of the community together,” said Jake.
“My father gets the nod for keeping me on the right,” said Jake. “In a funny story of how old school teachings really work, I played goalie because our team did not have one and I did not like the running part of the game. Funny enough, he told me to give a try, so I did just that, but he told me I was afraid of the ball and I would turn away from the shots. He called me off the floor, took me to the locker with my equipment on, he grabbed a stick and began whacking me all over and showed me it only hurt when I would turn and get hit in the back where no equipment was. It all clicked after that and I began jumping in front of everything.”
“I made a Jr. ‘A’ team after being cut by a Jr. ‘B’ team,” said Jake. “I’m a road warrior traveling from Akwesasne to Buffalo to Cattaraugus on weekends for lacrosse and all winter playing in Six Nations.”
Jake Lazore has words of wisdom for others who are striving to be competitive. “Work hard and push yourself if you want to reach your goals and achieve much more,” said Jake. “Try new things, don’t become complacent and take every opportunity when they come around.”
Photo Credit: Brennor Jacobs and Jake Lazore
