Varsity Update - October 26th, 2009
Rugby
The Mohawk Mountaineers scored early and often as they ran to a 47-17 victory over the Trent Excalibur at a very windy Mohawk Sports Park October 24. The teams raced back and forth in a wide open first half that saw Mohawk hold a 28-12 edge following 40 minutes. After Trent cut the margin with an early second half try, the Mountaineers tightened defensively and scored 19 unanswered points for the win. Chris VanSickle led the way for Mohawk with a try and 6 converts in very blustery conditions. Mike Rao with two, Cody Thomas, John Packer and Joel Clarke added tries as did Steven Johnston with a spectacular run to close out the scoring for Mohawk. Mountaineers' head coach Alex Paris said Johnston, a flanker from Saltfleet, had a great game. As for the team, Paris said, "It was a good game. Each week we progress to being a better team. We have to keep the ball in hand and really focus on what we're doing."
October 20 in North York, the Mountaineers whipped the Seneca Sting, 52-29. VanSickle had two tries, seven converts and a penalty. Packer and Clarke also had two tries apiece and Riley Cronsberry scored one.
Mohawk currently sits with a 5-1 record, alone in first place thanks to bonus points, but Humber is 5-0. The Hawks host Conestoga Wednesday (Oct. 28), then visit Mohawk next Saturday (Oct. 31) in the final game of the regular season. Humber beat Mohawk in a 12-10 thriller October 3 in Etobicoke.
Men’s Soccer
The Mohawk men's soccer team had a rough finish to the 2009 season. The Mountaineers were drubbed 9-1 by the Algonquin Thunder in their cross over quarter final game in Ottawa October 19. The Thunder went on to win their 6th straight OCAA men's soccer crown, 2-1 over Seneca.
Mohawk Forward Yousef Mohammad and striker Hassan Hamed were both named to the OCAA's West-Central/West All-Star Team.
Women’s Soccer
Two members of the Mohawk women's soccer team were named OCAA West-Central/West All-Stars for the 2009 season. Defenders Carlee Myles and Taylor Arman both made the select squad.
Mohawk failed to make it to the OCAA Championship. Fanshawe took the title, 1-0 over Durham.
Men’s Basketball
The Mohawk men's basketball team finished 1-2 at a Kingston basketball tournament October 23-25.
Friday the Mountaineers bowed 112-77 to a very good host team from St. Lawrence College. Ryan Carrafiello and Tanner Lane each had 12 points while Mike Soluk and Trevor Williams each tallied 11.
Saturday Seneca beat Mohawk 82-66. Williams had a game high 18 points. Carriefello and Alex Reis scored 11 each.
Sunday, the Mountaineers salvaged a 105-78 decision over Georgian. Reis had a monster game with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Lane also came up big with 17 points.
October 20, Mohawk saw its OCAA record fall to 1-1, losing 98-70 at Fanshawe.
The Mountaineers return to OCAA play with two home games this coming weekend. They host Algoma Thunder of the Soo, Friday October 30 at 8:00 pm and Sault College Saturday (Oct. 31) at 8:00 pm, with both games at the Fennell Gymnasium.
Women’s Basketball
The Mohawk women's basketball team lost 78-52 at Fanshawe October 21. Michelle Abella scored 18 points for the Mountaineers. Mohawk, now 1-1, has its home opener against Algoma of Sault Ste. Marie Friday October 30 at 6:00 pm in the Fennell Gym.
Men’s Volleyball
The Mohawk men's volleyball team opened the OCAA regular season on a winning note with a come-from-behind victory over Sheridan College in Oakville October 22. The Mountaineers had to claw their way back against the host Bruins for a 3-2 victory. Mohawk dropped the first two sets, 23-25, 22-25, but then rallied big time, taking the last three sets 25-11, 25-19 and 15-9 in the decisive fifth game.
Mitchell Sawatsky had 15 kills and 6 stuff blocks from the middle position. Ian Cameron had 17 kills and 3 aces. Codey Forrest produced some excellent passing helping the Mohawk offence to run and also chipped in with 14 digs. Co-head coach Matt Schnarr said, "Basically, we had a slow start due to jitters in first league match and we dug deep and pushed forward every point after being down 2-0."
The Mountaineers moved on to Oshawa over the weekend (Oct. 23-24) and could manage only a 1 and 3 record in the Adidas Cup Tournament at Durham College. Mohawk downed Loyalist 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-10. in their opening match, before being swept by Seneca, 16-25, 22-25, 14-25 and by Humber 14-25, 22-25, 16-25. Niagara then defeated Mohawk 3-2 (20-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-22, 9-15, eliminating the Mountaineers from the tourney. "It was a long weekend where the team understood they have some work to do, said coach Schnarr. "A shining light was first year right sidle/middle Mike Douglas who played a great tournament.
Humber went on to take the title, 3-1 over Kings University.
Women’s Volleyball
The women's Volleyball team started its OCAA season in Oakville October 22 in fine form. The Mountaineers blitzed Sheridan 25-8 in the first set, then taking the next two, 25-18 and 25-17 to complete a 3-0 sweep.
