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Robert Church: A Milestone in Saskatchewan Lacrosse History
Robert Church, a seasoned player with more than ten years in the National Lacrosse League (NLL), continues to make his mark in the sport. His aspirations for the Saskatchewan Rush remain strong, especially as he reflects on recent close matches, including an 11-8 defeat to the Toronto Rock, which has left the team with a record of 4-2 for the season.
“It’s kind of our offence that’s fallen a little bit short at times,” Church remarked. “Hopefully we can put it all together against Albany. We’re up against another impressive goalie in Doug Jamieson, so it’ll definitely be a tough contest, but we’re prepared for it.”
After competing in 173 games with the Rush, Church now holds the franchise record with 689 points scored since the team relocated from Edmonton to Saskatoon in 2016. His recent performance of two goals and four points against Toronto has propelled him to the forefront of Rush history, surpassing former teammate Mark Matthews.
“Obviously it’s a great honour,” Church acknowledged. “It’s something I can look back on when my playing days are over, and I hope to keep producing for another two or three years. The main focus for now, though, is winning games with this team and this group.”
While Church’s milestone is commendable, he still trails Matthews’ cumulative total of 949 points, which accounts for combined stats from the Saskatchewan Rush and other teams such as the now-defunct Edmonton Rush, Ottawa Rebel, and Syracuse Smash.
Insights from Teammates
Church’s impact on the team and younger players has not gone unnoticed. Rookie forward Brock Haley praised Church’s versatility and reliability during games, stating, “You can trust him with the ball at any given time. You know he’s going to make the right decision, whether it’s passing or shooting. Almost every time he shoots, I think it’s going to go in. He’s one of the best shooters and right-handed forwards in the league.”
Despite his impressive milestone, Church has faced challenges this season that have tested his resilience as a player. After beginning the season without scoring in the opener against Albany, he was hindered by a lower-body injury sustained against the Halifax Thunderbirds on December 14. This injury kept him out of action for two games before he returned on January 11 with a strong performance against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs, where he netted four goals and contributed to nine points overall against both the Desert Dogs and the Rock.
“It’s been a bit rough trying to navigate this and not playing at 100 percent,” Church admitted. “I’ve always managed to stay relatively healthy, but having to miss games was a new experience for me. I’m doing everything I can to be out there and fight through any limitations.”
Since his return, co-head coach and general manager Derek Keenan has recognized the impact Church has on the team’s performance, stating, “He’s just such a tremendous scorer and leader for us. We’re clearly a better team when he’s in the lineup.”
As the Rush prepare to face off against the 2-5 Albany FireWolves in a rematch of their season opener—where they won in overtime thanks to an Austin Shanks shot—Church remains focused on team objectives rather than personal accolades. “You get older and it’s crazy how time flies,” he reflected. “I still love the travel, showing up, and playing in front of the fans as much as I did during my first years in Saskatchewan. That passion hasn’t diminished and I don’t foresee it changing anytime soon.”
The Rush will host the FireWolves on Saturday night at SaskTel Centre, with the game scheduled for a 7:00 pm faceoff.
Source
globalnews.ca