Weekend Recap Oct 8 - 11

Happy Thanksgiving, Tommies Nation. Last weekend served up a feast of can’t miss competition. Six teams from St. Thomas University were in action. For some squads, last weekend marked the next step in their push to the playoffs. Other squads used week six of the season to build toward the regular season or continue their successful start to the year.  

Mixed results for Soccer Tommies during weekday home-and-home 

The STU Men’s and Women's Soccer teams kicked off the action during Thanksgiving weekend. Both squads played against the UNB Saint John Seawolves in an interprovincial home-and-home series. Game one took place on Wednesday, which was hosted by the Tommies. Game two was on the road. All four games included wet and windy conditions.  

STU’s Women team started the week by drawing even with the Seawolves. Fullback Olivia Fillmore opened the scoring midway through the first half. She put in the shot off a set piece. STU held the lead until late in the second half stoppage time, when SJ put home a shot out of the reach of the keeper to tie the game. The team lost 3-2 the very next night, which saw them trying to come back from three goals down.  

Meanwhile, the Men’s Tommies  swept the two-game series. Having two wins against UNB SJ gave them six valuable points in their push to the playoffs. STU won game one 2-0. The team scored two goals in the first half, and carried their momentum right to the final whistle. Thursday night was much of the same, as your Tommies won 2-0.  

Nana Osei Bonsu led the charge last weekend. Male athlete of the week continued his run of dominant play with a goal during each game. He now has four goals in four matches.  

Hockey Tommies split two-game weekend 

STU’s Women’s Hockey team was also in action during Thanksgiving weekend. The team played two games, each coming against teams from Halifax. 

The team began the weekend by hosting Saint Mary’s (SMU). During the game, your Tommies put home three straight past the goalie midway through the first period. STU’s early flurry was met with a goal by the Huskies. However, the team did not relinquish the lead, despite allowing another goal. STU defeated SMU 5-2.  

Saturday was a different story. Your Tommies welcomed the Dalhousie Tigers for an afternoon tilt. The game also marked staff and faculty appreciation day. All five goals came in the second period. The team fired everything they had at the Dalhousie goaltender.  Unfortunately, it was not enough, as your Tommies were narrowly defeated 3-2.  

The team had contributions up and down the line-up. Forward Megan Kirkpatrick continued her strong start to the campaign. She has five goals in four games. STU’s top line also combined for two goals and eight points over the two games.  

Basketball Tommies take two of three exhibition games 

Both the Men’s and Women's Basketball teams were on the road. They played host to a pair of teams from outside of their conference, despite playing in neutral cities outside of Fredericton. Two of the three games were taken by the Tommies.  

The Men’s team travelled to Miramachi last weekend. STU hosted a basketball clinic, one where students in grades five to eight could come out and practice with the players. The day ended with the team hosting the Cape Breton Capers in an afternoon exhibition showdown. Your Tommies were narrowly defeated 79-75.  

STU’s Women’s team was equally impressive. The squad travelled to Woodstock for a pair of games against the UMFK Bengals. The Tommies came on the winning end of both matches. Having the games played in Woodstock was a homecoming of sorts for three players.  

Men’s Volleyball building toward regular season 

STU’s Men’s Volleyball team was on the road last weekend. They traveled to Quebec for a pair of preseason matches against Limoilou. Game one ended in a 3-0 defeat for the Tommies. Meanwhile, the second game was much closer, as STU was narrowly defeated 3-2.  

Your Tommies continued their road trip with a visit to Halifax on Sunday. The team took on the Dalhousie Tigers in a pair of exhibition matches. STU was narrowly defeated in both games.  Last weekend was sure to help build confidence for the regular season.  

What’s on tap for Next Weekend 

Next weekend is set to deliver another slate of can’t miss Tommies action. Proceedings begin with the Men’s and Women's Basketball teams hosting the annual Ken Gould Tournament. Five teams from Atlantic Canada will take part in the three-day event. Catch all of the action at the Lady Beaverbrook Gym. 

The Women’s Hockey Team are back on the ice next weekend. They are set to take on their cross-campus rivals, the UNB Reds, in a weekend home-and-home. Game one will take place at the Aitken Centre on Friday, while STU hosts on Saturday. Puck drop is at seven o’clock for both matches.  

Your Tommies Soccer squads have their final home matches this weekend. Game one is on Saturday against the UKC Blue Devils, while the second match is on Sunday against MSVU. The team’s graduating players will be honored with a pregame ceremony on Sunday. All four games will have major playoff implications.   

The weekend concludes with STU’s Rugby 7’s team taking part in the ACAA Playoffs in Saint John. They will take on UKC, with a berth in the finals on the line. Kickoff is set for 12:30.  

By Leo Czank

Photo: Fran Harris