Inside Lacrosse Grinder of the Week

Dec 13, 2019

Jake Withers, Halifax Thunderbirds
1 goal, 8 loose balls, 1 caused turnover, 88.8 FO%
It was a huge night in Halifax as the Thunderbirds kicked off a new era at Scotiabank Centre on Saturday night. The new franchise opened up their inaugural campaign with an impressive 12-4 win over the New York Riptide. Jake Withers got the night started off on the right foot, scoring just 10 seconds into the club’s new iteration. The goal was in peak Withers fashion, after battling for a loose ball on the draw, bowling down the floor and perfectly tucking away the ball past Alex Buque on the far side.

 

The former Ohio State Buckeye finished the night going 16 for 18 on faceoffs, dominating a solid drawman in Ryan Fournier and whoever else the Riptide sent his way. Although Withers is one of the best when it comes to taking faceoffs, he will be the first one to tell you he’s not a faceoff specialist. He's a lacrosse player that takes faceoffs. The Peterborough, ON native exemplified that sentiment by also playing tremendous team and one-on-one defence, helping Warren Hill and the Halifax D corps hold New York to just a pair of goals. The 2018 Rookie of the Year is a complete five tool player that can play defence, win faceoffs, push the ball, score in transition and even fight. If you ask each and every GM or coach in the NLL, they’d tell you they’d take a Jake Withers on their team any day of the week. The only problem? There is only one Jake Withers.