Al Craig's Varsity Recap, September 25, 2006
Rugby
The Mohawk rugby team went on a scoring spree in Barrie Saturday, recording a 61-7 victory over the Georgian Grizzlies. It was the second straight win to start the season for the Mountaineers, both on the road.
Zack Crocker led the way with three tries. Darcy Palmer and Steve Johnston had two apiece and Brian Pearman and James Cumpson chipped in with one try each. Cumpson was also good on eight of his nine conversion attempts.
"Everything was clicking," said Mohawk head coach Alex Paris. "Our backs were running well, the forwards were putting on pressure, it was enjoyable to watch."
The Mountaineers finally get to play at home Tuesday September 26. They will meet Conestoga at 5:00 pm at Mohawk Sports Park.
Women's Fastball
It was a rough weekend in Oshawa for the Mohawk women’s fastball team.
Friday (Sept. 22) the Mountaineers saw their record slip to 1-2 with a 4-0 loss to the Durham Lords. Head coach Brian Weller noted two of the runs were unearned. But the team's defense is actually keeping it in games. The squad's problem continues to be a lack of hitting. And that continued the next two days as Mohawk went 0-3 in the Durham CanAm Classic tourney, losing 5-0 to Monroe Community College of New York, 3-1 to Seneca College, and 13-1 to Durham College. Coach Weller says a rash of injuries on the weekend didn’t help either. While they were not serious, they caused a lot of lineup juggling with people playing out of position and having to come in and out of the games. Playoff games in the tourney had to be cancelled because of rain and Monroe was declared the winner based on their perfect 3-0 mark.
Things don't get any easier for the Mountaineers who visit Windsor St. Clair Tuesday (Sept. 26). The Saints are riding atop the OCAA standings with a perfect 4-0 record.
Mohawk then has two home games at week's end. They play Canadore Panthers of North Bay Friday (Sept. 29) at 7:00 pm and Saturday (Sept. 30) at 11:00 am. Both games will be at Mohawk Sports Park.
Men's Soccer
The Mohawk men's soccer team picked up its first victory of the season with a 5-1 decision at Cambrian College in Sudbury Sunday (Sept. 24).
Sivlano Rajkovic scored twice, with singles to Ross McMillan, Josh Dekkers and John Yacou.
Mohawk head coach Richard Bennett said, "It was a good game for the team's confidence as they were able to move the ball around. We really should have scored more goals." The coach promised there would be some shooting practice.
The Mountaineers' OCAA record is now one win and one draw. They return to action Tuesday (Sept. 26) against Fanshawe Falcons, at Mohawk Sports Park. Kickoff will be at 5:00 pm. They then go to Redeemer Friday (Sept. 29) at 5:00 pm.
Women's Soccer
The Mohawk women's soccer team drew 1-1 with Cambrian in Sudbury Sunday (Sept. 24). The Golden Shield scored first, but Kristi Cossar scored on breakaway before the first half was out to earn the point. Head coach Renzo Castellani noted the game was played in poor conditions as it started raining the day before and continued right through the women's morning contest. By the time the men's game started in the afternoon, the sun had come out. Coach Castellani said, "The team played pretty well. Cambrian's goal came on a deflection, sending our goalkeeper the wrong way." He was also not pleased over what he felt were three opponents' handballs which were not called in the Cambrian 18 yard box. "We kept the ball in their end for 20 minutes in the second half and getting a penalty call could have made all the difference."
Mohawk's record is now one tie and one loss. The Mountaineers face Fanshawe Falcons Tuesday (Sept. 26) at 5:00 pm at Mohawk Sports Park. Friday (Sept. 29), they visit Redeeemer at 5:00 pm.
Men's Volleyball
The McMaster University Marauders took four straight sets from the Mohawk Mountaineers in pre-season men's volleyball at McMaster's Burridge Gymnasium on Friday night.
Despite the defeat Mohawk head coach James Bradley said his team competed well in every game. "Mac is one of the best C.I.S. teams in the country," said coach Bradley, a one time Marauder assistant. "They have high level athletes, including junior national and provincial team members. The way we competed is certainly a step in itself." The Mountaineers got a huge performance from "left side" player Jasmine Cull of Ancaster. Cull, who attended Mohawk last year, but had to sit out the volleyball season after transferring from Loyalist College in Belleville, had an incredible 35 points from 23 kills, 5 stuff blocks and seven aces. Coach Bradley said he had not previously coached a player who had that many points in a match.
Next up for Mohawk is the Fanshawe Invitational in London September 30 and October 1.
