Weekend Recap Oct 31-Nov 2
Last weekend delivered a slate of can’t miss action. Five St. Thomas University (STU) squads were in action during week nine. For some teams, last weekend marked the start of the new season. Other teams worked to continue the success they have built this year. Regardless of the result, each and every athlete represented the green and gold proudly.
Basketball Tommies start season with a trio of wins
STU’s Men’s and Women's Basketball Teams opened their regular season schedules. Both teams played a pair of home games, which came against the MSVU Mystics and UKC Blue Devils. The Tommies found victory in three of the four games.
STU’s Women’s Basketball team kicked off their season against MSVU. STU came out of the gate firing on all cylinders. The squad started the game on a 14-point run, finishing the first half with the lead. Unfortunately, the team fell behind midway through the third quarter. They failed to regain their previous advantage. STU was narrowly defeated 65-61.
On Sunday, the team took on the UKC Blue Devils. Your Tommies held a three-point lead after the opening frame. However, STU began pulling away toward the end of the first half, when Charlee Connors made a two-point jumpshot to stretch the lead to eight. The team did not look back. STU defeated the Bule Devils 68-37. Guard Claudia Steeves led the team during the weekend.
STU’s Men’s Basketball team also found victory during the weekend. The squad began their season on Saturday against MSVU, in a game where they faced adversity early in the match. They fell behind during the first quarter, later tying the game at 16. However, STU did not relinquish their lead. The team carried the momentum to a 108-93 victory.
On Sunday, STU took on the UKC Blue Devils. The Tommies controlled the match from start to finish. Your Tommies took a large lead into the halftime break. Much of the gap on the scoreboard was thanks to a 40-point second quarter. STU continued their dominance in the second half. STU defeated the Blue Devils 115-89. Marcus Wilson and Evan Valanne led the charge for the Tommies.
Hockey Tommies split home matches
STU’s Women’s Hockey was also in action. They took the ice for a pair of home games last weekend. Both matches were hotly contested, coming down to the wire to determine the winner. STU took two of four points.
The team began the weekend by welcoming the Mount Allison Mounties on Friday night. Fans were treated to a close game. The first goal came late in the second, when forward Claire Nimegeers found herself in the right place at the right time. She put a rebound past the goalie for her first goal of the season. Forward Lauren Smith added an insurance marker. STU narrowly defeated the Mounties 2-1, thanks to a goal with seconds to spare.
STU was back on Saturday. The squad took on the St.FX X-Women in an afternoon rivalry tilt. St. FX opened the scoring midway through the first period. They extended their lead early in the third. However, STU did not break. Forward Tahlia Mallaley got the Tommies on the board later in the third to cut the X-Women lead in half. In the end, STU was narrowly defeated 2-1.
Volleyball Tommies hit the road for first time this season
The Men’s and Women's Volleyball teams hit the road last weekend. Both squads were in Prince Edward Island on Saturday to take on Holland College. Meanwhile, the Women’s team travelled to Sackville on Sunday to take on Mount Allison. Three of the four games were taken by the Tommies.
STU’s Men’s team split their games last weekend. On Saturday, the team lost to Holland College three sets to one. Your Tommies lost each of their sets by under 20 points. The team took on the Hurricanes again on Sunday, where they net positive results. STU shut out Holland College three sets to nothing, taking two of three sets by under 20 points. The team cleaned up many of their errors from Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Women’s Volleyball team also put up an impressive effort. The squad took on Holland College on Saturday, in what turned out to be a barn burner. STU took the match three sets to two. The squad held the Hurricanes to under 20 points on two occasions. Sunday was a different story. The team was narrowly defeated 3-1.
What’s on tap for Next Weekend
Buckle up, Tommies Nation. Next weekend presents a road heavy schedule for the teams. Three squads will travel elsewhere for their games, while two teams will be at home.
Three of our Cross Country athletes are headed to CCAA Nationals this weekend hosted by Holland College in Charlottetown. PE. Elisabeth Vigneau will race for Tommies Women at 12:30 pm on Saturday, November 8 and Kensea Aaron and Arjun Godara will race for the Men at 1:30 pm. The races will be held at Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park at Brookvale Nordic.
STU’s Women’s Hockey team kicks off the weekend. They will hit the ice for a road match with their interprovincial rivals, the Moncton Aigles Bleus. Puck drop is set for seven o’clock. The team continues their weekend road swing against the UPEI Panthers on Sunday in Charlottetown.
The Volleyball teams are also on the road next weekend. Your Men’s Tommies are set to play a weekend doubleheader against the Dalhousie Rams. Those games will take place on Saturday and Sunday. Meanwhile, the Women’s team takes on Dalhousie on Saturday.
The weekend concludes with a pair of interprovincial basketball matches. STU will welcome the Crandall Chargers to town. Tip-off for the Women’s game is scheduled for noon, while the Men’s game will get underway at two o'clock. Both matches will take place at the Lady Beaverbrook Gymnasium.
Story by: Leo Czank