After more than a decade away from box lacrosse, Peterborough native Lexie Kinmond is back playing the game she grew up loving, bringing fresh energy to the Lakers’ roster as they prepare for this weekend’s Major Series Lacrosse (WMSL) doubleheader.
Kinmond has already made an impact, recording a goal and five assists through the Lakers’ first two games. She’s currently tied for the league lead in assists and shares the team lead in points.
Her journey back to box lacrosse is rooted in her deep ties to the sport. Starting as a novice around grade four, she played through her youth, winning a provincial title with her minor Lakers team and earning two gold medals and one silver with Team Ontario.
Although she has been coaching box lacrosse over the last few years, a lot of her focus over the past decade has been on field lacrosse, including playing at the University of Detroit Mercy and coaching at Trent University. Inspired by the growth of the WMSL, Kinmond decided to return to the box as a player this season.
The WMSL’s rise has given young girls new opportunities, and Kinmond credits Peterborough’s lacrosse culture for shaping her career. She looked up to local legends like John Grant Jr. and Shawn Evans, and coaches like Jim Milligan and Joe Hiltz, the latter now part of the Lakers’ staff.
The Lakers are currently 2-0 on the season, after an 8-0 shutout over the London Thrashers and a 6-2 victory against the Arthur Aces. They’ll face the Mississauga Badgers at 11 a.m. and the Mimico Mountaineers at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Healthy Planet Arena.
This weekend’s games are a chance for the community to rally behind the Lakers and the growing women’s game. Kinmond says fans can expect a fast-paced, physical game, dispelling notions that women’s box lacrosse is less intense than the men’s.
The stakes are high, with the WMSL provincials set to be hosted in Peterborough this summer. With that in mind, Kinmond says it’s a good motivator for the team and a big reason why she wanted to play this year.
With the league expanding, including a team in Windsor next year, and affiliations with U22 programs fostering new talent, Kinmond sees a bright future.
The Healthy Planet will also host three other WMSL games on Saturday, all free to attend, including Whitby Rush vs. Kingston Cannons at 12 p.m., Mississauga vs. Kingston at 3 p.m., and Mimico vs. Whitby at 5 p.m., making it a can’t-miss day for lacrosse fans.
Several of those teams will feature some of the game’s top talent, including the Mountaineers, whose roster boasts Peterborough native Erica Evans, a world-renowned lacrosse superstar. Kinmond says it will not only be an exciting day for the players but also a great day of action for those in attendance.
Fans are encouraged to come out in full force on Saturday to catch the Lakers in action and witness the rising tide of women’s box lacrosse. For Kinmond, it’s more than just a game; it’s a homecoming, a chance to inspire the next generation, and a celebration of a sport that’s finally getting its moment.
(Written by: Scott Arnold)
