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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times-Advocate, 2002-11-06, Page 10By Pat Bolen TIMES-ADVOCATE STAFF ST. CATHARINES – It was an incredible end to an incredible season, as the Panther field hockey team captured the silver medal at the OFSAA championships in St. Catharines on the weekend. After three days, and six tough games, it came down to a 1-0 loss to Notre Dame from Burlington meaning the difference between silver and gold. Going into the tournament, the Panthers faced stiff competition from 15 other regional champions, but won two games and lost one to place second in their pool and advance to the quarter-final. They faced a very confident number 2 ranked Lorne Park team from Mississauga who jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, and controlled play throughout the first half. Not giving up, 12 minutes into the second half Jenalyn Baker scored to tie it up. Stealing the momen- tum away, the Panthers started to come on strong and minutes later, Megan Preszcator scored to ice the win and push South Huron into the semi-finals. St John’s Kilmarnock was the next opponent and it was once again a tight-checking, low scoring game and the team that converted on its chances would be the one to win. The combination of Leanne Cronyn and Karly Pinder clicked with Pinder deflecting in a pass for the only goal the Panthers would need, winning 1- 0. So with 14 teams eliminated, there was only one standing between the Panthers and gold and it was Notre Dame, who had defeated South Huron in the pool round on a controversial play. When a whistle was heard, the Panthers stopped, not realizing it was from another field. Taking advan- tage, Notre Dame scored, and the goal was counted, starting them off to a 2-0 victory. Looking for payback, the Panthers squared off against Notre Dame on Saturday. Right from the start, it was a closely matched contest with neither team sit- ting back. The Panther defence core of Maria Dinney, Carrie Prout, Jaci Marshall,Brittany Caldwell, and Susie McCann stopped the Notre Dame attack for the first part of the half, but the opposition scored midway through, to end the half up 1-0. By the second half, the Panthers were on the attack for long periods, but could not convert. Midfielders Jillian Koehler and Beth Hundey controlled the ball extremely well, allowing the offence to mount attacks. Despite the efforts of all the players on the team, it wasn’t enough to overcome Notre Dame who eventual- ly came away with the 1-0 victory. Coach Jim Workman said he couldn’t be prouder of his players, especially graduating students Jenalyn Baker, Brittany Caldwell, Carrie Prout, Beth Hundey, Heidi Muller and Megan Preszcator. SportsTHISWEEK IN SPORTS Sherwoods win in overtime. Page 12 Lucan Irish split pair of games. Page13 SPORTS TIPS? Contact Exeter Times Advocate Tel: (519) 235-1336 x113 Fax: (519) 235-0766 E-mail: sports@SouthHuron.com Wednesday, November 6, 2002Exeter Times-Advocate 11 Panthers OFSSA silver medalists The SH Panther field hockey OFSSA silver medal winning team. Front row L-R:Jenalyn Baker, Maria Dinney, Shelby Musser, Middle:Megan Preszcator, Brittany Caldwell, Amber Caldwell, Nicole Muller, Lindsey Muller, Susie McCann, Leanne Cronyn, Beth Hundey, Back: Jim Workman(Coach), Jaci Marshall, Brittney Foster,Amy Weido, Michelle Muller, Heidi Muller, Carrie Prout, Kristen Reschke, Brittney Schroeder, Karly Pinder, Jillian Koehler,Linda Farquhar(Coach) (photo/Pat Bolen) By Pat Bolen TIMES- ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER – The Exeter Hawks had a perfect weekend winning two games making its record 5 wins out of the last 6. The Hawks faced off against Mt. Brydges Nov.1 intent on payback for the 3-1 loss they suf- fered in their previous meeting. Jeremy Geoffrey and Jeremy Vanbergen set the tone in the first minute laying out hits in the Mt. Brydges zone, setting the stage for the first Hawks goal as Shayne Andrews opened the scoring two minutes into the game. Playing what assistant coach Mark Livermore said was “their best game of the year” and “good in all three zones” the Hawks controlled play at both ends, stand- ing up at the blue line and never allowing the visitors to get set up. Exeter went up 2-0 half-way through the period on a goal by Nick Regier after some good forechecking by his line- mates. The second period turned into a checking contest with most of the action along the boards as both teams battled for position. Chances to score were few on both sides, with Eric Gelinas missing a pair close in, and Matt Vlemmix almost getting a short-handed break, but not being able to catch up to the puck. Livermore said the Hawks have been prac- tising their penalty killing and the results showed, killing off all 10 penalties they received. They were aggressive all night on the penalty kill. As play opened up in the 3rd, Exeter took control with a pair of goals on the powerplay to put the game away. After working the puck around the zone, they found Vlemmix alone who made it 3-0. Hawk goalie Shane Dejong was not tested often in the game, fac- ing only 16 shots, but was sharp when he had to be, especially with his team down two men on a 5 on 3 in the third, making several saves to keep the score 3-0. Jeff Finkbeiner made it 4-0 on another power- play late in the period to seal the victory, with Exeter out-shooting the visitors 37/16 overall. Exeter was back in action Saturday night in Lucan, where they started slowly. Rivermore stat- ed ”We didn’t play up to our potential in the first two peri- ods, but came back in the 3rd.” Despite being outshot 43-29 by Lucan, the Hawks still man- aged to pull out a 5-2 win, scoring 3 third period goals. Exeter’s next action is a pair of road games on the weekend, starting in Thamesford Friday night. Rivermore expects it will be a tough game. The Hawks will be looking to revenge a previous loss when they play Lambeth Sunday. Exeter Hawks sweep weekend games Scott Davies of the Exeter Hawks gets ready to fire Nov.1 against Mt. Brydges. Exeter won the game 4-0.(photo/Pat Bolen) ”We didn’t play up to our potential in the first two periods, but came back in the 3rd.” — MARK LIVERMORE ASSISTANT COACH