Redbirds Lacrosse headed to Brampton, Ontario, from Nov. 7 to Nov. 9 for the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association (CUFLA) Baggataway Cup with the same expectation as every fall: Play fast, play together, and play for silverware.
Captain and midfielder John Miraglia, U3 Arts, says this year’s group is better for having been tested. After a perfect 2024-2025 regular season ending short at Nationals, 2025-2026’s 9–2 campaign, composed of two one-goal losses, forced the team’s collective growth.
“We finally felt some adversity, and it really helped us adapt and sharpen what we need to win playoff lacrosse,” Miraglia said in an interview with The Tribune.
The path was clear: A Friday bye as the number one seed, then a Saturday semifinal, and, if earned, a Sunday final with a shot at glory. The Redbirds’ biggest edge in the tournament, according to Miraglia, was their tempo and their time to rest.
“We play faster than anyone, and I have no doubt we have the highest skill level in the tournament,” Miraglia explained before the weekend. “Our bye means whoever we face played less than 24 hours earlier.”
The team’s speed is underwritten by depth and buy-in. Their rallying cry this season was ‘as one.’ Veteran short-stick defensive midfielder Jack Buzby, U4 Arts, shared in an interview with The Tribune that after last year’s stumble, this attitude is a shift.
“We wanted more trust, less leaning on individuals,” he said. “Those tight, one-goal games made us comfortable under pressure. It’s us against us. [We need to] do our jobs, play our game, and take it one day at a time.”
The team also has a younger back-end than it did a year ago. Long-stick midfielder Preston Norris, U2 Arts, commented on this learning curve.
“The rookies took criticism, adapted fast, and kept communicating. That’s what has won us our games,” Norris said in an interview with The Tribune.
If there is a snapshot of this group’s identity, it is their overtime play-in escape versus the Ottawa GeeGees on Nov. 2. The Redbirds, down 10-5 late in the game, rattled off five unanswered goals before attacker Mark Symon buried the winner off a tantalizing sprint and feed from roommate and fellow attacker Rowan Birrell. The bench never flinched.
“No one thought we were going to lose [against Ottawa], and it’s that energy that won us the game and hopefully can win us Nationals,” Miraglia said.
The team has further motivation: This is the final season for head coach Nicolas Soubry. For senior members of the team like Buzby, who took the field at Nationals with his brother Benjamin Buzby for the second time in their varsity careers, the stakes are personal.
“Playing with my brother is everything. We grew up playing together and it’s truly special to be able to continue that,” Jack Buzby said before the Cup. “For Coach Soubry, I want to end it on the high note he deserves.”
The Redbirds Lacrosse’s season sadly ended in a 15-12 loss on Nov. 8 at the hands of a relentless Nipissing University Lakers opposition in a fast-paced semifinal game—though Nipissing had lost their last nine games against McGill. McGill’s indomitable spirit saw them claw their way back from multiple deficits, tying the game 12-12 early in the fourth quarter before the Lakers closed with three unanswered goals, led by high-impact grad transfer Jason Knox.
Despite the loss, Joshua Jewell led McGill’s offence with a hat trick, while Dylan Fenton and Liam Miletich nailed two goals apiece. Goals from Owen Howard, Charlie Hostetter, Torsten Blodgett, Massimo Thauvette, and Norris rounded out the scoring in a hard-fought contest marked by fiery pace and physicality.
Nipissing’s attack, driven by Knox’s nine-point game, ultimately proved too much for even the top-seeded Redbirds. While their defeat brings a painful end to a strong season, McGill was still well-represented in the Nov. 8 CUFLA All-Rookie Game, with Hostetter, Fenton, Spencer Mason, Ryder Sunday, Jake Brady, Nick Gutin, Yoan Pinsonneault, Brennan Visokey, and George Carayiannis all earning selections.
