Tommies Weekend Recap October 24 - 26
Week eight was a light one for St. Thomas University (STU) Athletics. Six teams were in action last weekend. For some squads, they competed in their respective league championships. Meanwhile, other teams began regular season play or continued their successful start to the year. Each and every team represented the green and gold proudly.
Volleyball Tommies take three of four games
STU’s Men’s and Women's Volleyball teams began regular season play last weekend. Both squads hosted the Unversite Sainte-Anne Dragons in their home opener. The Men’s squad played the Dragons on both days, while the Women’s team welcomed the MSVU Mystics on Sunday. Three of the four games were taken by the Tommies.
STU’s Women’s squad split their matches. On Saturday, the team welcomed Sainte-Anne for their home opener match. STU swept the Dragons three sets to zero, in dominant fashion. STU gave up less than 20 points during each set, Meanwhile, the Tommies welcomed the MSVU Mystics for a matinee matchup on Sunday. They lost the game three sets to one. Sunday’s game saw several explosive plays and thrilling rallies.
The Men’s Tommies were equally impressive. STU hosted a pair of matches against Sainte-Anne. Saturday's match was very one-sided. Your Tommies took control in the early, and never looked back. They won 3-0. On Sunday, STU and UStA squared off again. In the end, the team won 3-1. STU’s experienced players led the charge last weekend. At the same time, the team’s newcomers also played a part.
Hockey Tommies split road games
STU’s Women’s Hockey team were also in action last weekend. The squad traveled to Halifax for a pair of matches against the Dalhousie Tigers and the Saint Mary’s Huskies. Both games needed extra time to determine a winner.
Saturday’s game came against the Dalhousie Tigers. During the match, STU gave up the opening goal late in the first period. However, the team answered with a marker of their own in the second. The tie was broken by the Tigers less than two minutes later. STU tied the game in the third period. In the end, the team was narrowly defeated 3-2 in a shootout. It took four shooters to put the puck past the goalie, Chloe Marshall.
Sunday was much of the same. The Tommies spent the first two periods exchanging goals with the Huskies. Each squad scored one marker each, which tied the game at one. The deadlock lasted until the shootout. Forward Megan Kirkpatrick scored the winner. She continued her stellar run of play. Your Tommies took down the Huskies 2-1.
Cross Country Teams take home top five finishes
STU’s Cross Country teams were two of three squads competing in the ACAA Championships. The event was held at Victoria Park in Truro. Both teams took home top five finishes. STU’s Men’s squad finished in third place. Meanwhile, our Women runners came in fifth place.
Kensea Aaron led the way for the Men’s squad. The third-year athlete completed the eight-kilometer course in just over 30 minutes, good enough for fourth place. He was one of three runners from STU to finish in the top 20. Following the competition, Aaron was named the league’s rookie runner of the year and a part of the all-conference team.
Elizabeth Vigneau led the way on the Women’s side. Vigneau completed the six-kilometer event in just under 28 minutes, two minutes behind the eventual winner. The victory helped her finish in sixth place. Vigneau was the only runner from the university to finish in the top 20. She was later named to the ACAA all-conference squad.
Tommies Men’s Soccer team falls short of playoff glory
The Men’s Soccer team was the third squad in the running for an ACAA Championship. They were on the road in PEI for a date with the UNB Saint John Seawolves in the playoff semi-finals. The game took place on Saturday evening, under the glow of the beautiful Island sunset.
The Tommies finished second in the league this season with 10 wins and 31 points. They were three points behind the league leaders, the UKC Blue Devils, to finish the regular season. STU was looking to repeat as champions.
Saturday’s match was tightly contested. STU held the Sealwolves scoreless for the first half, and most of the second. Both teams went back and forth. UNB SJ broke the deadlock in the seventy-fifth minute. They carried the momentum to the final whistle.
What’s on tap for Next Weekend
Next weekend is set to deliver another slate of can’t miss action. Two teams will play at home, while two are on the road.
The weekend begins with an interprovincial Women’s Hockey game on Friday. STU welcomes the Mount Allison Mounties to town. Puck drop is set for seven o’clock. They will be back on the ice for an afternoon tilt with the StFX X-Women. Puck drop is at three o'clock.
Next weekend marks the home opener for the Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams. Your Tommies will play a pair of games on Saturday against the MSVU Mystics. Tip-off is set for two o’clock for the women and four o’clock for the men. The teams will welcome UKC to the LB Gym on Sunday for one o'clock and three o'clock tip off times.
The weekend concludes with the Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Tommies playing four games on the road. Both games on Saturday is on PEI against the Holland College Hurricanes. Meanwhile, the Men will stay on the Island on Sunday, and the Women travel to play the Mount Allison Mounties.