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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2007-09-19, Page 22THIS WEEK IN SPORTS Peewees Page 23 Fury Page 23 22 TIMES ADVOCATE Sports SPORTS Tips? Contact Times Advocate Tel: Pat Bolen (519) 235-1336 x113 Fax: (5 1 9) 235-0766 E-mail: sports©southhuron.com Wednesday, Sepember 19, 2007 New look for Irish By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN — The Lucan Irish will be considerably younger this year says coach Jason Heywood, who is going into his third year behind the bench with the team which opens its regular league schedule Saturday in West Lorne at 7:15 p.m. before host- ing Lambeth Sept. 26 at 7:45 p.m. Lambeth will also be in Lucan tonight for an exhibition game at 7:45 p.m. Lucan finished last season with a 24-15-1-0 record for 49 points, but was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Thamesford Trojans in five games. A younger team has advan- tages, said Heywood, since younger players are a little more coachable. "This year we'll have a lot more systems play...and focus on individual skills," said Heywood. While the team will still have around 10 returning players, Heywood said in previous years there were up to 15 players coming back. "One thing we're not going to do from an organization stand- point is carry kids we know we're going to get rid of.. and if that means we start with 16, we'll start with 16." With a younger team, Heywood said Lucan will look to identify players who can be leaders, one of whom will be defenceman Adam Hartmann, who is return- ing to Lucan from St. Marys and will wear the captain's 'C' on his jersey. "We hope he can really help bring some leadership with his experience as a junior 'B' play- er." Heywood said the game has changed just since he was play- ing and there isn't as much room for "the big lumbering winger that can't get up and down the wing, at least on your first couple of lines...one thing that has never changed is that you're always drawn to players that have heart and that want to win. Sometimes winning doesn't have anything to do with how hard you shoot the puck. We might have got away from it a little bit last year and this year attitude is going to be a huge factor." With a younger team, Heywood said it will be a bigger challenge for him as a coach since younger players require more coaching. "A lot of that is just confi- dence. If we can get the younger players to play with confidence early in the year, then we'll be okay. "The days of having 60 or 70 kids at your camp are over, so the need for a ton of exhibition games is maybe gone a bit. In order to learn at any age, espe- cially a young age, practice is the most important thing." Hawks ready forTrojans By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — The Exeter Hawks were in Wingham over the weekend for the Ironmen's annual tournament, and after only giving up three goals in three games over the weekend, coach Deryk Howard said the team is ready for its season opener Friday night when it hosts Thamesford. The Hawks will carry 23 players, according to Howard which he said gives the team flexibility to deal with a busy schedule and the needs of stu- dent athletes. "It's on the safe side to carry some extras," said Howard. Returning to the team are 10 players from last season which is the amount Howard said he thought he would have. "Like I had said, every spot was open and we stuck to that. We picked the best players, whether returning or not." Although the team has only just been put together, Howard said he is happy to see it is already starting to display a defence first approach with the three goals at the Wingham Ironmen tournament on the weekend, where the Hawks won one and lost two, to give them a 3-2 exhibition record. "I'm happy just by the play- ers we picked, we're getting the type of hockey we want. And the more we work the bet- ter we'll get." With the chance to shape the team this season right from the start, Howard said "I think we're miles ahead of where we were this time last year...we'll compete with everybody and I have good hopes." Howard said he isn't putting pressure on the team for a quick start and wants to build through the season. Wearing the 'C' this year for the Hawks is Jeff Smale with Scott Muirhead, Jale Jeffrey and Josh Wood as assistant captains. "We're hoping never to get outworked," said Howard. "There is a really good feel- ing this year amongst the guys, I think they're already starting to gel, which is early." On the blueline for the Hawks will be four veteran defenceman, who will be backed up by two younger players. Howard said Friday's game against the Trojans will be a good challenge for the Hawks before they visit Parkhill Sunday at 8 p.m. "We know that they work and they're going to make us earn it. We're getting ready for a pretty high energy game on Friday and I'm sure we'll see the same in Parkhill," said Howard. High school basketball — South Huron District High School senior girl Julia Roberts drives down the court for the Panthers Friday during a mini tournament at the school.After a slow start in their first game, the Panthers posted a 46-32 win over Parkhill. (photo/Pat Bolen) Panthers open field hockey season WATERLOO — The South Huron Panther field hockey team made a solid start to their season on Saturday as they compet- ed in the annual Waterloo tournament. In the first game of pool play they defeated Jacob Hespeler from Cambridge 1-0, with Staci Miller scor- ing assisted by Melissa Cronyn and Kristen Ferguson. The second game ended in a 0-0 tie against Nelson High School from Burlington. Michelle Boere recorded both shutouts. In game three, the Panthers easily defeated St. Thomas Aquinis from Waterloo 3-0. Miller opened the scor- ing after only two minutes with Ferguson assisting. At the nine minute mark, Janita Pfaff added to the tally and one minute later, Cronyn scored her first as a rookie. The midfield line of Ferguson, Lindsay Mills, Sandra Gregus and rookie Lynn Weber dominated play and set up many attacking moves. Boere and rookie Michaela Ondrejicka recorded the shutout. The fourth pool game was the decider for the pool and the girls wasted no time in establishing themselves. Weber scored after six minutes, with Ferguson and Sandra Gregus assist- ing on a short corner. Five minutes later, Miller scored assisted by Lauren Haberer and Gregus. Seven minutes from the end, Cronyn scored after a great build up by Ferguson and Keri Reschke. In the semi final, the girls played hard, but were outgunned by a very skilled, strong and well coached side from the St. Johns Kilmarnock school. The final score was 3-0. Overall the day was very successful with the team putting on a very cohesive display so early in the season. The rookies got the chance to develop their game and see what real competition is all about. The Panthers opened their regular season on Monday with a convincing 4-0 win over Mitchell and are in Goderich today (Wednesday). This year's team con- sists of: Miller, Karly Bryson, Abbey Oke, Pfaff, Gregus, Carly Schroeder, Haberer, Mills, Ferguson, Reschke, all returning, together with rookies Ondrejicka, Emily Lacasse, Weber, Cronyn, Michelle Hall and Kristyn VanElswyk. OIL SPRAYING ON THE FARM SERVICE 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE 519-345-2432 1-800-300-9144 IF IT DOESN'T DRIP A LITTLE, IT DOESN'T WORK A LOT