Key Games for Soccer and an Exhibition Test for Women's Volleyball in Sea-Hawks Action this Weekend

After a week off in the schedule, the Sea~Hawks soccer teams will set flight to Nova Scotia this weekend to partake in an important three game road trip versus Saint Mary's and Acadia. The women's volleyball team will also be on the road this upcoming weekend participating in an exhibition tournament at Dalhousie

     

Soccer

   

Women's Soccer

The Sea~Hawks have had 10 days to regroup and get ready for an important three game weekend that will see them play Saint Mary's on Friday, head to Acadia for a Saturday afternoon match-up and then back to Saint Mary's for their final game of the weekend. The Sea-Hawks seem well rested and eager to pick up some points to keep them in the playoff mix. Finding scoring chances and making the most of them will be key for the Sea-Hawks, along with containing Kelly Burgess from the Huskies, who leads the league in scoring with 5 goals in just 4 games. The women currently possess a 1-2-1 record, and will be striving for their first road win of the season. Through the first four games of the season, Head Coach Walt Mavin is impressed with his teams consistent hard work and desire to improve as a club.

     

After battling the Huskies on Friday night, the Sea~Hawks will take the field Saturday afternoon to tangle with the Acadia Axe-Women. Acadia is winless on the season, posting a 0-4-2 record. Perhaps the tell-all stat of the Axe-Women's early season woes is their lack of offense as through six games, they have registered just one goal. Although the Axe-Women's offense has been lacking thus far, they have been solid defensively and came away with a draw against a powerful St. FX club.

     

Men's Soccer

The men's team will look to regroup after a road trip two weeks ago, that pitted them against the first place Capers and X-men. The team has used the last 10 days to figure out an offensive attack that will hopefully generate some more scoring opportunities during for this all important 3 game weekend against SMU & Acadia. The points on the line this weekend are very important in securing a playoff spot.

     

Last season the Sea~Hawks went 0-1-1 against a Saint Mary's team that went on to win the AUS championship. This season the Huskies have a 1-0-3 record, and despite the slow start still have a talented squad complete with returning AUS all-stars. Sea~Hawks Head Coach Scott Betts brings a talented line-up for the weekend and hopes to demonstrate his depth with some new old faces that have made the travel squad this weekend. Fifth year veterans Zach Hynes and Jay Babstock will make their season debuts this weekend. In 2009, Hynes last season with the Sea~Hawks he and Steven Delong had chemistry and swagger that lead to a strong finish, something the men have lacked in the previous four games. Babstock returns to the Nest after a longer absence and will strengthen the front line providing strength and veteran leadership upfront Joining the Sea~Hawks attack is Scott Woodfine who is looking to fire away as he helps the Sea~Hawks set their sights on the playoffs. Saint Mary's currently sits in 6th place in the AUS standings and will be eager to take some points off of the Sea-Hawks. 2nd year striker Elvir Gigolaj has found the back of the net three times in four games this season and has proven himself as a definite scoring threat for Saint Mary's.

     

The second game of the road trip for the Sea~Hawks will be played against a rebuilding Acadia team. The Axemen will be searching for their first win of the season as they currently post a 0-5-1 record. Last year's matchups between the two teams was a dominated by the Sea~Hawks as they won both games 3-0. The Acadia squad will be well rested for Saturday's matinee, as it will be there only game on the weekend.

     

The Sea~Hawks return to Halifax on Sunday afternoon in a rematch against the Huskies to close out their road trip. The split series against the Huskies was needed as SMU football is hosting Acadia for their homecoming weekend on Saturday. Both Sea~Hawks teams will get the Thanksgiving weekend off.

     

Volleyball

     

Women's Volleyball

After an entertaining and gut wrenching 2010-2011 season, hopes are high for the Sea~Hawks in 2011-2012. Bill Thistle returns as coach and the team heads into Halifax for the Dalhousie Invitational exhibition tournament. The Sea~Hawks will face the majority of their AUS counterparts including the Acadia Axewomen, the host team Tigers, St. FX, Saint Mary's and UNB.

     

Key Returning Players

The Sea~Hawks feature some returning players who are ready to make a name for themselves. Fourth year middle Chantal Jones is back and is accompanied by the high flying Angela Peddle. A dynamic heavy hitting duo will comprise the left side, as Sam March and Captain Erin Bursey return for their third and fourth years respectively. Defensive specialist Julia Watts will suit up again this year for the red and white, while fifth year setter Beth Forsey will be calling the plays. Right side hitter Jill Lynch, who was an AUS 2nd team all-star last season and Sam Noseworthy also return to give the Sea-Hawks some depth this year.

     

Key Losses

Although there will be quite a few familiar faces back on the court this season, there will also be an absence of three spirited seniors who help rejuvenate the Sea~Hawks volleyball program. Seniors Sasha Wilkins, Nicole Jolliffe, and Sarah Strickland have completed their five years of eligibility. However, do not be surprised if you see them strolling the sidelines assisting coach Thistle this season.

     

Fresh Faces

A strong crop of rookies will be suiting up for the Sea~Hawks this season. Middle Rhiainn Coulombe and Lauren Miller join the team from New Brunswick. Gillian Ricketts from St. John's will provide support to Beth Forsey as a setter. Three new left side hitters help round out the squad - Kelsey Brochu(Stephenville), Krista Hogan(St. John's), and six footer Tiffany Cooper(Clarenville). Through the opening weeks of practice there have been many nice surprises for the coaching staff, including Tiffany Cooper who showed up at tryouts as a walk on. Thistle feels strong about the development of his first years believing they could be one of the strongest rookie classes to have come through in years.

     

The Sea~Hawks first game will be against the Huskies, scheduled for Friday night at 6pm at the Dalplex They will continue tournament play on Saturday at noon against the Varsity Reds, followed by a matchup with St. FX at 3pm. Round robin play will close for the Sea~Hawks on Sunday as they battle the Acadia Axewomen.

     

For scores and results visit www.goseahawks.ca