Major Excelsiors Start 0-3 for 2025 season

Our Major Excelsiors are now in their third year back since nearly being moved to Owen Sound. Any lacrosse fan does not need to be told that the past two years were not what some people would consider successful as the team has placed very low in the standings each year. Now with a 0-3 start to the 2025 season it may seem like we're on track to do the same this year. However, those who have watched the games closely will know that there is a much bigger story being told than what the standings show.

It is difficult to continually put a positive spin on a losing record. There's only so many times, especially in short social media posts that we can talk about "a lot of positive take aways". We know it gets old. But the fact of the matter is that even though our record over the last two years hasn't shown it on paper, this team has shown amazing potential and growth which is why our team staff is not worried about an 0-3 start. So maybe it's time we share what fans are missing game to game, in the dressing room, at practices and on the road in order to show the complete picture that our coaches see.

YOUTH

The Major Excelsiors are a very young team. With our oldest players still under 30 everyone still has many years of improvement ahead. They can out work and outlast the teams filled with aging super stars who are past their primes. It becomes obvious going into the third period in a lot of games that the other team is coming onto the floor with empty tanks while we grind to the last whistle. 

Despite being young we still have solid leadership and experience in our core players. They know what it takes to win games at a high level, they've worked hard to secure positions on NLL rosters, and they come through game after game when we need them. The experience of these players being shared with our youngest talent will help them develop faster than they ever did in junior lacrosse.

DEFENSE

Ask anyone involved with the team and they will say with pride and certainty that we have one of the best defensive lineups in the league. That's where those core players are at home and where the team shows the most grit. With the confidence they have in each other they've all demonstrated the willingness to go toe to toe with any attacker and make them earn every shot they get. Back stopped this year by some of the best goaltending Brampton has had in a long time our coaches know that goals against won't be an issue this season.

EAGERNESS

With a team full of young players still looking to make an NLL roster they are all eager to learn, work hard and improve. They show up consistently, they listen carefully and watch each other. This is bolstered by having some many home-grown players. Guys who have played their whole lives wearing maroon and gold and are still excited to proudly represent the 'BE' every game. The consistency in the roster build consistency on the floor and leads to better chemistry between players.

Even though this team is bursting with potential we're very aware of the team's shortcomings as well. To sit here and tell fans that "everything's coming together perfectly" would be arrogant. We can admit that we still need to see big improvements in some areas.

OFFENSE

More than anything over the last few years the team has struggled to put the ball in the net. Despite being the only MSL team in 2025 to hold the Chiefs under ten goals, we also got shut out that game. So many others we lost by just a goal or two in a low scoring match. Despite the solid defense in our own end, it has been a challenge to round out our very small offense. 

An emphasis was put on that this year though. Through our protected players, our draft picks, trades, and free agents the team has added a lot of goal scoring potential. While not all these players have yet been available to us, we expect to see our goals per game increase when all these talented young players come back from school. With our back end keeping scores low there is no doubt that improvement through the season and over the next few years will quickly lead to win after win.

YOUTH

While it's something the team really has going for it, it's also a detriment. Young players are expected to make mistakes. The change from junior to senior lacrosse is probably a lot bigger than many people realise. With so many first or second year players stepping onto the floor against some very experienced opponents every small mistake can cost us a goal. It will take time for these guys to really improve and themselves become the all-stars, but we know that the potential is there - we must make it through the learning period.

FUNDING

When a team can spend all the money they want to buy players, entice them to come play from other leagues, or fly them in from across the country it's easy to win championships. When a team is starting from scratch it's exceedingly difficult to bring in that kind of talent. This is why we rely on building up from a young core with lots of potential and drawing in players who aren't just looking for a pay cheque but who actually want to play for Brampton.

These are the things that our coaches and staff see game after game. The small but important improvements that come with time. Two years ago, we stepped back on the floor starting with virtually nothing. We had lost half of our already depleted roster; the team had no money to start with. In a league where some teams have all-star rosters and can throw money at any shortcomings they have, the Brampton Excelsiors were able to compete and keep games close, even if the wins weren't coming. Even though we're off to a 0-3 start to this season we gave the two-time defending Mann Cup champions a fight in an 8-4 loss, we battled back from a terrible first 10 minutes and 8-1 deficit to take Brooklin into over time, then we lost to Peterborough, another star-studded team, by only one goal. 

We all understand that fans want to see a winning team and that the Major Excelsiors have had a pretty bad record on paper for a few years. Starting the season with no wins is no doubt discouraging. But this group is going to grow into a championship team so come out and be part of that journey. As a community owned team, we rely on the support of our fans to keep things running. Every person in those stands contributes to the continued growth and ongoing legacy of the Brampton Excelsiors.