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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-07-19, Page 18THIS WEEK IN SPORTS Fury Page 19 Express Page 19 Wednesday, July 19, 2006 SPORTS TIPS? Contact Exeter Times Advocate Tel: Pat Bolen (519) 235-1336 x113 Fax: (5 1 9) 235-0766 E-mail: sports©southhuron.com Exeter Times -Advocate Larivees planning offence -minded Hawks By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — "You're going to see an exciting brand of hock- ey," says new Exeter Hawks coach Art Larivee, who will be behind the bench this year with brother Darcy taking over as general manager of the team. The Larivees grew up around Thorndale and played hockey in Tillsonburg and Ingersoll. Art was assistant coach of the St. Marys Lincolns last season and Darcy is commis- sioner of the Forest City Hockey league. With changes to both the dimensions of the ice and the way the game is going to be officiated this season, the two say they will be looking at players with speed and skill, as well as character. "If you can't accept the team concept, there is no place for you," says Art, who adds he wants a team fashioned after the Edmonton Oilers. With the area from the goal line to the blue line increased to 64 feet and less room behind the net, plus an empha- sis on cutting down on obstruc- tion, the Larivees are planning to play a game of puck possession with a strong forecheck. Although Art says there will be a sharp learning curve as players adjust to the new style of play, he says he is looking for a fast start. Express win three EXETER — The Exeter Express travelled to Listowel July 14 and in a tight defensive battle showed their pitching and fielding skills to pull out a 4-2 victory. The Express scored three of their runs in the fourth inning. The offensive outburst was keyed by hits from Bobby Grant, Justin Hayter, Nick Regier and Cory Burtch. Curtis Meyers, search- ing for his second win, pitched a solid five innings allowing two runs on four hits and six walks. Jason Cox relieved in the sixth with the bases full and none out and shut Listowel down the rest of the way. A Dan Masse double, followed by a Burtch sin- gle in the eighth, com- pleted the scoring. Burtch was the hitting star of the night with three solid hits and should have had a fourth except for a defensive gem by Listowel's third baseman. Aaron Patterson and Grant had two hits each while the remaining hits were racked up by Hayter, Lonnie Hawke, Regier and Dan Masse. The Express played two must win games against St. Thomas on Sunday and eked out two wins by scores of 3- 0 and 4-3 to keep their playoff hopes alive. The team record is nine wins and five loss- es. The Express played in London last night (Tuesday) and have a doubleheader against first place Tillsonburg in Exeter on Saturday. In game one Derek Masse said he wasn't at his best but was obvious- ly good enough as he threw a no-hitter against the Elgins, striking out nine batters on two walks while coping with two errors by his team- mates. The Express scored their first two runs in the third on hits by Dan Masse, Hawke and Vic Oliveira. They added another in the fifth on a St. Thomas error and a second Oliveira hit which was a double. Game two was the third Express game in less than 24 hours and the team was tired. Masse pitched through several jams and kept St. Thomas at three runs. The Express scored three runs in the first with a walk to Patterson, hits by Hawke, Hayter, Oliveira and walks to Regier and Burtch. St. Thomas came back with single runs in the first, second and fourth innings. Masse was tired but put in the extra effort as his teammates tried to get the winning run. And in the seventh a single by Hawke, a stolen base and a single by Vic Oliveira did the job. Express hitters on the day included Oliveira with four, Hawke with three and Patterson and Hayter with two each. Singles came from Dan Masse, Regier and Paul Elston. The team thanks Hayter for catching both games in a warm envi- ronment and Elston, who played all of game two as an outfielder although he is a 57 -year -old relief pitcher. "It's easier to win in September and October than in February." The Hawks have tentatively set open tryouts for 1986- 1990 birth year players for Aug. 26- 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Exeter. Players can contact Sheona Baker at 238-5585 or Art at 345-9922. There will be a $10 charge for new play- ers. The team has also sched- uled an exhibition game with the University of Western Mustangs, tentatively set for Sept. 24 at the South Huron Rec Centre. "You better be willing to give more than you thought you had," says Art to this year's potential Exeter Hawks. The Exeter Hawks brother combination of coach Art (left) and general manager Darcy Larivee intend to put together a team with an emphasis on offence. (photo/Pat Bolen) Bill Smits laces them up again By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — He may be 82, but that didn't stop Exeter's Bill Smits from suiting up for the Exeter Masters Friday night, helping the team beat the Irish, 6-2. The game, Smits' first since retiring from the game in 1979 at the age of 55, marks five decades of playing for the soccer enthusi- ast, a well-known figure at Exeter soccer matches. "I had lots of fun," Smits says of Friday's game. He said he felt good after the game and only experienced a bit of stiffness. His Masters teammates presented him with a soccer ball at the end of the game signed by all the players. Smits decided only recently that he would suit up for the Masters and when he approached the team with his idea, he said they were happy to fulfill his wish. Smits stays in shape and rides his bike all over town. "I'm a lucky guy," he says of his health. Smits has lived in Exeter since 1956. He started playing soccer in Groningen in his native Netherlands and as a 17 year old, played for Kloosterburen's team. He later moved up to the 'A' team. Smits also became an all-star and eventually won a championship with the Kloosterburen team. He later played for Westlandia's `B' team, later moving to the 'A' team. While back then his team was considered an amateur team, today it would be at the profes- sional level. With Westlandia, he won a championship in 1948-49. In Exeter, Smits played for the Centennials. And while he's 82 years old, he still won't rule out playing anoth- er game for the Masters, but he's cautious. "I don't want to get hurt," he says. Exeter's Bill Smits laced up his cleats one more time Friday night for the Exeter Masters, helping the team defeat the Irish 6-2.This was the first competitive soccer game for the 82 -year-old Smits since he retired in 1 979.Above, Smits, centre, stands with former Exeter Centennial teammates and current Masters John Muller, left, and Dick Lord.Absent is another of Smits' teammates, Joe Laurie.At left, Smits gets ready before the game. Other than some minor stiffness, Smits felt great after the game. (photos/Scott Nixon)