Tommies Weekend Recap
The fall colours are blossoming, and so are the Tommies. Six St. Thomas University (STU) teams were in action last weekend. Some squads used week seven to take the next step in their push to the playoffs. Meanwhile, other teams continued to build momentum toward the regular season or continue their successful start to the year.
Basketball Teams hosts exhibition tournament
The Men’s and Women’s Basketball team hosted the Ken Gould Exhibition Tournament last weekend. STU welcomed five ACAA squads to the Lady Beaverbrook Gym. Both teams played three games in three days. Having success in the event will help the squads build confidence toward the regular season.
STU’s Women’s Basketball team swept the tournament. They defeated the MSVU Mystics 83-66 to open the event. Norah Quinlan led the charge, scoring 16 points and two rebounds. The next two games ended with similar results. STU defeated UNB Saint John and the UKC Blue Devils.
The Men’s Basketball team was equally impressive. They collected three wins during the tournament. Friday’s game ended in a narrow five-point win over MSVU. Marcus Wilson was a key factor. He collected 25 points and seven assists. Saturday and Sunday were much of the same, as STU took down UNB Saint John and the Mount Allison Mounties.
Tommies Hockey split home-and-home weekend
STU’s Women’s Hockey Tommies were back on home ice last weekend. They took on their cross-campus rivals, the UNB Reds, in a home-and-home series. Last weekend marked the first “battle of the hill” of the regular season.
Friday night’s matchup was held at the Aitken Centre. During the game, STU and UNB were held scoreless. Both goaltenders gave their teams a chance to take home the two points. The deadlock was broken early in the third by forward Tahlia Mallaley. STU carried the momentum all the way to the end. Chloe Marshall collected 28 saves for a 1-0 shutout.
STU welcomed UNB on Saturday evening for the second half of the home-and-home series. Like Friday, both goalies stood on their heads. Taylor Cowen helped keep the game scoreless for the Tommies, until UNB put home a power play goal late in the second period. The Reds extended their lead with two more goals in the third. STU was narrowly defeated 3-0.
Soccer Tommies grab four points in final regular season weekend
Your Men’s and Women's Soccer teams were back in action at home. Last weekend were the final games of the regular season. For some players, Sunday’s match was the last time taking the pitch at the Grant Harvey Turf Field in front of the home fans.
STU’s Men’s Soccer teams stole the show. They began the weekend with a scoreless draw on Saturday against the UKC Blue Devils, in what was a battle between the top two teams in the ACAA. Sunday was a different story. The Tommies ran rampant, firing eight goals past the MSVU Mystics. Rhys Cooke McCormick and Nana Osei Bonsu led the charge with two goals each. STU will now look forward to the ACAA playoffs.
The Tommies Women’s Soccer team also put in a good effort. They were narrowly defeated on Saturday afternoon by the UKC Blue Devils. STU took the lead early in the first half, thanks to a pair of goals from Chloe Caldwell and Olivia Fillmore. Unfortunately, the team found themselves at the wrong end of a three-goal comeback. Sunday ended with a 3-1 defeat against MSVU.
Three of the four games last weekend held a special meaning. Satuday's Women’s game was in memory of Mary Cronin, a former player and captain with the Tommies. Sunday marked the day where graduates were honored for their time with the program.
Rugby 7’s Tommies take home the bronze medal
STU’s Rugby 7’s team ended their inaugural season last weekend. They traveled to Saint John for the ACAA playoffs. STU began the day with a game against the UKC Blue Devils, where they were narrowly defeated 12-10. The loss meant the Tommies played the Dalhousie Rams in the third place match. STU defeated the Rams 15-10, taking home the bronze medal. Madi Walsh was named the player of the match.
Two Tommies players collected ACAA awards. Mariah Brown and Alexis Falconer were part of the all-conference team. Brown was also named the league's rookie of the year.
Women’s Volleyball team finish pre-season on the road
STU’s Women’s Volleyball team finished their preseason on the road. They were in Truro last weekend for the Tip-off tournament hosted by the Dalhousie Rams.
Your Tommies played three games on Saturday, each against teams they will see during the regular season. Those teams were the Holland Hurricanes, UKC Blue Devils and the UNB Saint John Seawolves. Taking part in the event will, no doubt, help the team build toward their home opener.
What’s on tap for Next Weekend
Next weekend is light for STU athletics. Four teams will be in action, both at home and on the road.
STU’s Men’s and Women's Volleyball teams begin their season on Saturday. They will play the University de Saint-Anne Dragons in their home opener. Men take the court at four o’clock, while the Women play at six. The Men’s teams will face off again on Sunday afternoon, while the Women welcomes MSVU.
STU’s Men’s Soccer team hits the road next weekend. They will be in PEI for the ACAA Playoffs, with the hopes of repeating as champions. STU will play in the semifinals on Saturday.
Your Women’s Hockey Tommies are also on the road. They will travel to Halifax for a pair of games. The road trip begins on Saturday, when STU faces the Dalhousie Tigers. Puck drop is at seven o’clock. The weekend concludes with an afternoon tilt against Saint Mary’
Story written by Leo Czank