(September 17, 2012)… The term “three-peat” seldom gets used these days in lacrosse at any level. It’s such a rarity that it has never happened in the 27-year history of the National Lacrosse League. In the Mann Cup, which is awarded annually to the senior men’s lacrosse champion of Canada, it has not happened since a three-year run by the Six Nations Chiefs from 1994-96.

Yet, Sunday evening the Ohsweken Aces defeated the Snake Island Muskies 17-10 to capture their third straight Nations Cup. Rochester Knighthawks forward Cody Jamieson raised the trophy at the 15th Annual Nations Cup in Akwesasne.

Ohsweken finished the eight-team Native tournament with a 4-0-1 record at the Anowara'kowa Arena (Turtle Dome). Jamieson was one of five members of the 2012 World Champion Knighthawks on the Aces. Alex “Kedoh” Hill finished tied for the point lead in the Nations Cup en route to First Team All-Star Team honors. He finished a dominating summer where he also won the Major Series Lacrosse Rookie of the Year with the Six Nations Chiefs.

It was the third straight Nations Cup for Hill, who was joined by Knighthawks teammates Craig Point, Travis Hill and Jake Henhawk. Point, who will enter his sixth season in the NLL in 2013, notched 16 points (4+12) in five games. Defenseman/Transition man Travis Hill also added to the offense with one goal and seven assists in four games. Additionally, Henhawk played in four of the Aces’ five games, and won his second Cup in three years with Ohsweken.

“It feels good to win our third in a row. It is pretty awesome, especially for bragging rights,” said Point.

“It felt great to win and be part of Ohsweken Aces’ 2012 Nations Cup championship team,” added Henhawk. “It never gets old winning that Cup against such great, and teams from other reservations.”

In Sunday’s Championship Game, the Aces carried the pace of the game by opening up a 6-3 lead after the first period. Snake Island, however, responded with three quick strikes to tie the game at six in the second, which included back-to-back tallies from Andrew Lazore. Ohsweken settled down and ripped off five straight goals to move ahead 11-6. The last tally was courtesy of Jamieson, who found Point open on the inside for an easy finish at 12:11 of the second. Snake Island ended the run on a goal by Hank Delisle to cut the deficit to 11-7. The second ended with the teams trading goals, giving the Aces a 12-8 advantage.

The final period started well for Ohsweken as Jamieson fed Roger Vyse at 3:38 for a five-goal lead at 13-8. The Muskies answered with two straight goals as Delisle and Joe Hall connected for their second goals of the game, and pull Snake Island to within 13-10. But the Aces would not be denied another championship, as they ended the game with four straight goals to win 17-10. Warren Hill, who starred for the Iroquois Nationals at the 2012 FIL World Lacrosse Championships, earned the victory in goal. Point admitted playing in the Nations Cup will keep him sharp for the 2013 season.

“It’s a little step forward as the next season is quickly approaching,” he said. “So it's basically keeping yourself moving and keeping the stick in your hand.”

The Knighthawks will begin their title defense on the road to open the 2013 National Lacrosse League season. The World Champions will start their 19th season as they face the Washington Stealth on Saturday, January 5th.