Kings sign four for coming lacrosse season

Two goaltenders are among the latest four players the Kingston Kings have signed for the 2013 Ontario Junior C Lacrosse League season.

David Joseph, who handled most of the team’s goalkeeping chores last year, and Nic McFarlane, his backup, will again begin the season as the Kings’ goaltending tandem. Also signed are sniper Ba Maracle and defensive specialist Shannon Hill, bringing to seven the number of players carded for the upcoming campaign.

Despite a 5-10 record, Joseph, 20, a University of Ottawa student, had a goals-against average of 7.68 in 2012. He commutes from Ottawa to play for the team his grandfather, Bob Joseph, founded in 1973.

“David saw the majority of starts last season and had a great year,'” Kings coach Mike Dube said. “He is a player who we look to anchor our defense on. He’s come to camp in great shape and we expect to see great things from him.”

McFarlane, a student at Bayridge Secondary School, started two games for the Kings last year, his first junior season. “Nick is an up-and-coming goalie that has had a great training camp so far,” Dube said. “We expect to see him share starts with David this year.”

Maracle, a steelworker from Tyendinaga, is beginning his fourth junior season in Kingston, during which time he’s averaged almost a point per game. “Ba is someone we look to to contribute offensively,” Dube said. “We’d like to use his big shot a little more effectively this year.”

Hill, a Holy Cross Secondary School grad and St. Lawrence College student, made the team as a walk-on last year and appeared in 11 games. “Shannon is a veteran on our the team this year, who we will use in a defensive role for 5-on-5 situations as well as penalty killing,” Dube said.

The Kings will practice Wednesday and Thursday at Centre 70, 8 p.m. both nights, in preparation for a home-and-home exhibition series with the Gloucester Griffins, Saturday afternoon in Ottawa and Sunday, 4 p.m., at Centre 70. There will be no charge to attend the home game, but fans are urged to bring a donation for the Partners in Mission Food Bank in lieu of admission.

The Kings will open their regular schedule May 9, at home, against the same Gloucester club.