Weekly Preview

The men’s and women’s cross country teams will hit the trail for the first time this season when they travel to Antigonish, Nova Scotia for the St. FX Invitational this weekend. Both teams will be sending a lot of new faces to take part in the women’s 5k and men’s 10k events.

The varsity soccer teams also have a big weekend as they host Cape Breton University in the home opener. Fans should note that the games will take place at Smallwood Soccer Complex in Mount Pearl.

Women’s Soccer
Memorial’s Women’s soccer team looks to pick up their first and second wins of the season this weekend when they host the CIS 7th ranked Cape Breton University Capers. The Sea~Hawks are coming off a disappointing opening weekend road trip that saw them return winless, but will try to get on right the ship this weekend with two home wins this weekend. Games times are Saturday (1:00 p.m.) and Sunday (11:00 a.m.) at Smallwood Drive Soccer Complex in Mount Pearl.

Last year the Sea~Hawks played to a 2-2 tie with the Capers in their only head-to-head match, a result they hope to improve upon Saturday afternoon. The `Hawks will be in tough against a Cape Breton lineup that is very similar to the one that earned a fourth straight AUS title in 2008.

Kiley Snow, 2008 CIS Tournament MVP will lead a strong and experienced Capers defense, with fifth year keeper Jessica MacDermid ready to shut the door in goal. The Sea~Hawks will need veteran players Malorie Harris and Laura Breen to lead the offensive charge if they hope to beat a solid Capers’ defense. Memorial will also look for their younger players to step up their play on the field. Rookie Heather Williams will look to continue her hot start after scoring two goals last weekend in a loss to the Mounties.

Two Newfoundlanders will be in the lineup for Cape Breton; Erika Lannon and Kaelyn Burke from St. John’s.

Men’s Soccer
The men’s soccer team looks to keep the ball rolling this weekend when they kick off their home schedule against the Cape Breton University Capers at Smallwood Drive Soccer Complex in Mount Pearl. Games times are Saturday (3:15 p.m.) and Sunday (1:15 p.m.).

The Sea~Hawks roster continues to be filled out as the team is simultaneously welcoming a strong rookie class and battling injuries. The roster on Sunday will include veterans Collin Power, Zach Wade, Andre Le, Ryan Yetman and Zach Hynes.

Rookie Steven DeLong had a hot start to his university career last weekend and will look to extend his goal scoring streak to three games on Saturday. For his efforts last weekend DeLong was rewarded with an AUS athlete of the week award.

With injuries to Tyler Putt and Luke Olmstead, rookie Adam Coleridge will make his debut in goal for the Sea~Hawks, and try to keep the Capers scoreless on the season. Coleridge will need strong defensive play from the rest of the Sea~Hawks if they hope to avenge last year’s 2-1 loss to the Capers.

Cape Breton will be trying for their first win of the AUS season against the Sea~Hawks on Saturday afternoon. The Capers will be bringing a very different lineup than last year which includes twelve new faces. Returning for Cape Breton is their leading scorer Shayne Hollis, who will try to jumpstart the Capers offense.

Cross Country
The men’s and women’s cross country teams will hit the trail for the first time this season when they travel to Antigonish, Nova Scotia for the St. FX Invitational. Both teams will be sending a lot of new faces to take part in the women’s 5k, and men’s 10k events. On the women’s side, watch out for Jenine Daley and Tracey Hussey who both ran well at Sunday’s NLAA competition. Also running for Memorial are Katie Little, Victoria Ralph, Jessica Coffey, Jenny Hulburt, and Allison Grant, as all look to improve throughout 2009.

The men’s team will aim to start the season strong with returning athletes Andrew Casey, Jonathan Slaney, Thomas Martin, Jared Walsh, Tyler Cole, Ryan Brown and Mike Minor, who will all be travelling to Nova Scotia this weekend. The team will have a lot of experience to draw upon as they strive to finish the season in the top three in the AUS.