Varsity Blues wrap up fall semester banner season with water polo three-peat

Toronto - The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s water polo team edged the Queen’s Gaels 7-6 to claim their third straight provincial title as the 2018 OUA championship wrapped up on Sunday evening (Dec. 2) at Varsity Pool.

It marks the first time the Blues have won three straight consecutive banners since 2008-10. U of T wins their 12th OUA title in the past 17 years and 33rd overall in program history.

The Queen’s Gaels took home the silver medal, while the McMaster Marauders earned the bronze following a 9-6 victory over the Carleton Ravens.

U of T’s Euan Scoffield earned championship most valuable player honours, while Queen’s standout Trevor Robinson was named the most valuable goalie. McMaster’s Quinn Fairley was named the OUA coach of the year.

Gold-Medal Match: Toronto 7 Queen’s 6

The Blues led 5-1 midway through the third quarter but the Gaels battled back, scoring three straight to head into the final frame down by one (5-4). Toronto scored two goals to open the fourth quarter and the Gaels responded with two of their own, but time ran out before they could find the back of the net again.

Scoffield led all players with four goals for the Blues, while Stefan Mitic, Daniel Ugray and Danilo Seskar each tallied once in the victory.

Connor Crowe and Alex Cox-Twardowski led the Gaels with two goals apiece, with Hendrick Fang and Nikola Cugalj scoring once in the loss. Robinson shone in the game for the Gaels, making numerous saves and stopping Scoffield on a penalty shot in the second quarter.

Bronze-Medal Match: McMaster 9 Carleton 6

The McMaster Marauders used a strong first half to defeat the Carleton Ravens 9-6 in the OUA bronze-medal match. After taking a 2-1 lead after the first quarter, the Marauders outscored the Ravens 4-0 in the second frame to hold a 6-1 advantage at halftime. Carleton battled back with three goals in the third quarter, but McMaster held on for the three-goal victory.

Orioc Hararra led all players with three goals for the Marauders, while Amr Ibraim and Jon Spence scored two apiece on the day. Radu Plaiasu and Alexander Bozzo added single tallies in the win.

Carleton was led by Mihailo Krstic’s two-goal performance, with Christopher Callard, Julien Allard, Spence Thomson and Thomas Dalkowski each scoring once in the loss.

MAJOR AWARDS
Most Valuable Player – Euan Scoffield – Toronto Varsity Blues
Most Valuable Goaltender – Trevor Robinson – Queen’s Gaels
Coach of the Year – Quinn Fairley – McMaster Marauders
 
ALL-STARS

Marko Avdalovic – Toronto Varsity Blues
Colin Colterjohn – McMaster Marauders
Alex Cox – Queen’s Gaels  
Oriol Herrerro – McMaster Marauders
Trevor Robinson – Queen’s Gaels
Euan Scoffield – Toronto Varsity Blues
Daniel Ugray – Toronto Varsity Blues

2018 OUA Men's Water Polo Championship Schedule
 
Friday, November 30
Quarter-Final 1: Carleton 18, Ottawa 2
Quarter-Final 2: McMaster 13, Western 7 

Saturday, December 1
Semifinal 1: Queen's 6, Carleton 5 (4-2 SO)
Semifinal 2: Toronto 8, McMaster 6
Consolation: Western 20, Ottawa 9

Sunday, December 2
Bronze Medal Game: McMaster 9, Carleton 6
Gold Medal Game: Toronto 7, Queen’s 6