Sea~Hawks Have Impressive Showing in Home Openers versus UNB

   

After a solid opening day of the 2011 AUS season, both teams were looking to make the most of the two game series against the UNB Varsity Reds. Both games drew enthusiastic crowds and the energy was high as the teams kicked off another season of Sea-Hawks soccer.

   

Women's Soccer

On Saturday, the women's soccer team earned a 1-1 draw, with Heather Williams getting the equalizer at the 76th minute after UNB scored at the 18th minute mark. Williams made good on a nice pass across the box from first year Janine Battcock who showed good composure and great vision as she drew three defenders towards her allowing Williams to tuck the ball just over the keeper and under the crossbar. Simone Quinlan showed poise in net being tested a few times by the UNB front line. After a first half in which the Sea~Hawks felt they left something on the field they controlled the tempo for most of the second half and secured the tie.

   

On Sunday, the Sea-Hawks carried the tempo of play from the opening whistle. In the seventh minute of play Heather Williams was taken down from behind within the eighteen yard box on a play that drew jeers from the fans in attendance. UNB collected themselves and the ball and put MUN on their heals as a miscommunication led to a free kick from within MUN's own 18. The Sea~Hawks capitalized on UNB's own confusion thanks to two very aggresive defensive stops by first year mid-fielder Jenna Munden and the second by third year Lauren Windsor as both players put their bodies onthe line for the team. The Sea~Hawks seemed to use the early adversity to gather and compose themselves. Second year keeper Keira Eavis returning from a season off witha broken hand was in net for the Sea-Hawks and was constantly directing the defense and encouraging her teammates to win every ball. First Year Nursing student Janine Battcock played solid in the two opening games, and early in the second half made a great feed to Jennifer Burry, a second year Nursing student who found the back of the net in the 51st minute. Battcock's assist on this goal was her 2nd of the season as she had set up Heather William's on the team's lone goal the day before. The Sea-Hawks played tough and kept their composure as UNB put on a strong attack in the last 10 minutes of play. Laura Tilley again was outstanding on the back line and she made some outstanding defensive plays late in the game to take away UNB's chances near the net.

   

The Sea-Hawks opened their season earning 4 points, which equals their point total for all of the 2010 season. This year's roster seems to have unified in just a few short days and their overall fitness and aggressive level of play provided some early highlights just two days into the season. The team heads on the road next weekend to take on the CBU Capers and the St FX X-Women.

   

Men's Soccer

On Saturday, the Sea-Hawks looked strong from the start, with a talented roster taking to the field to start the 2011 campaign. Steve DeLong, found his scoring touch immediatley, putting the Sea-Hawks on the board in the 17th minute. The strong back line for the Sea-Hawks barely gave UNB any room to put a ball on net and the couple of balls that did get through were stopped by 2nd year keeper David Hickey. The Sea-Hawks played a great game through the 90 minute mark and the game ended in a 1-0 win for the Sea-Hawks. On Sunday, after a dominant first game of the season just a day before, the men's soccer team just couldn't find the back of the net to earn a 2nd win against a tough UNB squad, as they lost 1-0 to the Varsity Reds. Third year midfielder Ryan Lauzon scored unassisted in the 18th minute for UNB, and the team held on to a 1-0 win over the hometown Sea~Hawks. Sunday's game was a high intensity defensive battle, and neither team was able to generate many scoring chances.

   

With the loss, the Sea~Hawks finish the series earning a split against a hard-nosed UNB squad. The Sea~Hawks will see action next weekend as they swoop into Sydney, Nova Scotia to square off against the Capers and the X-Men. Games times are 3:15pm on Saturday, September 17th against the Cape Breton Capers, followed by a Sunday afternoon tilt versus the X-Men.

   

For more information, contact Justin Fowler at 864-4506 or seahawks@mun.ca