Molson Weekend Summary

It was a disappointing opening weekend for the women’s soccer team as they dropped both games, losing 3-2 to Mount Allison on Saturday, and 1-0 to Moncton on Sunday. Rookie Heather Williams scored the first two goals of her university career.

The men also travelled to New Brunswick, making the trip with a roster that looked drastically different from the lineup that suited up in 2008. The team worked hard on Saturday but lost on a goal in injury time, 2-1 to Mount Allison. On Sunday the hard working team would get their first win of the year, beating Moncton 2-1.

Women’s Soccer
The women’s soccer team kicked of their AUS season on the road this weekend, travelling to New Brunswick to take on the Mount Allison University Mounties and the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues. The Sea~Hawks hoped to make a statement on the weekend, as they aim to bring home Memorial’s first AUS Championship in November on their home field. In a weekend series at King George V Park last October, the Sea~Hawks held the Mounties scoreless in both games with scores of 3-0 and 2-0.

The women hoped to build on last year’s success against the Mounties by opening the season with a road win. Rookie Heather Williams wasted no time in scoring her first AUS goal, finding the back of the net only ninety seconds into the game, giving the Sea~Hawks an early 1-0 lead that they would take into the half.

Mount Allison forward Kailey Bower tied the game early in the second half. Williams would answer in the 61st minute for Memorial, putting them up 2-1. The lead would not last long as Bower would once again score for Mount Allison. The game would remain tied into injury time before third year Sara Laking would score the winner with little time left on the clock. The final score was Mount Allison 3, Memorial 2.

Memorial coach Walt Mavin was disappointed after the game. He said, “Sometimes skill does not win games. The bottom line is that we were outworked and Mount Allison got the victory.”

Hoping to get the first win of the season under their belts, the women travelled to Moncton for a Sunday afternoon game against les Aigles Bleues. Memorial would come out with a better effort on Sunday working to get a number of chances to score. However, they could not get the ball past Moncton keeper Danika Jobin. The Sea~Hawks carried the pace of play early until a defensive miscue in the backfield freed Moncton’s Stephanie Leahy who made no mistake, giving Moncton a 1-0 lead. The Sea~Hawks had a number of chances but could not score. The final score was Moncton 1, Memorial 0.

Mavin was clearly disappointed with the results of the opening road trip but he did feel the team gave a better effort on Sunday.

The Sea~Hawks head home for a week of practice before hosting the CIS 7th ranked University of Cape Breton Capers next weekend at Feildian Grounds in St. John’s, Saturday (1 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m.)

Men’s Soccer
The men’s soccer team was also on the road in New Brunswick this weekend with games at Mount Allison University and the Université de Moncton. With eight points on the line, the Sea~Hawks were hoping to get a running start at an AUS playoff spot this season.
After splitting a weekend series at home last year, the Sea~Hawks hoped to grab there first win against the Mounties on Saturday. The game was even most of the way as Memorial rookie Steven DeLong scored his first AUS goal, followed by a goal by Mount Allison. The game would go to injury time even before Memorial’s hope would be dashed by a late Mount Allison goal. Femi Adehidi and Mount Pearl native Iain MacLeod were the scorers for Mount Allison. Memorial keeper Luke Olmstead suffered an arm injury in the game.

Memorial coach Scott Betts was pleased with the effort despite the loss. He said, “We gave a solid effort. We have four days of practice under our belt and only five of our players this weekend have played together before. We are never happy with a loss but we had a good opportunity to win.”

On Sunday, the men took the field in Moncton, looking to find their first win of 2009. The Sea~Hawks did just that, working hard in a 2-1 victory. Steven DeLong scored his second goal of the season while Zach Wade also scored for Memorial. Rookie Matt Breen was the keeper for Memorial, as he was pressed into service with the Olmstead injury.

With a one and one start to the season, the men will take this week to prepare for the University of Cape Breton Capers who will play at Feildian Grounds next Saturday (3:15 p.m.) and Sunday at (1:15 p.m.), where they aim to improve their record with another important eight points on the line in the short AUS soccer season.