GERRIE AND HOWARD LEAD CHAMPION HAWKS INTO POST-SEASON
October 23, 2006
The three-time defending champion Laurier Golden Hawks claimed the top seed in the upcoming OUA playoffs this past week with three consecutive wins to finish the season at 9-1-0 on top of the West standings. The Queen's Golden Gaels posted an identical record to win the East and the second seed in next week's playoffs. The Hawks will face No. 4 McGill in the opening semi-final, with Queen's taking on No. 3 Toronto in the other match-up at University Stadium in Waterloo. The two winners advance to the gold medal game on Sunday, October 29.
After losing their only match of the season back on October 1, the Hawks stormed through the remainder of their schedule, winning five straight matches and four in this week alone. League scoring leader Kirsten Gerrie exploded for six goals and added four assists in the Hawks' 21-5 thrashing of Western Friday. Erica Howard added three goals and five assists, while Leanne Nicholls scored four times with two assists in the rout. Laurier had a tougher time with the Martlets the following day, winning 11-6. Gerrie scored three times with four assists and Howard also had a hat-trick. In their final match of the regular season, the Hawks produced a great effort to hand East-leading Queen's a 6-3 loss, their first defeat of the season. Gerrie and Howard had two apiece in that match. The duo is dominating the OUA scoring race with Gerrie leading the way at 33 goals and 21 assists for 54 points and Howard in second at 25 goals and 18 assists for 43 points. Two players are tied for third at 28.
McGill bounced back from the Laurier loss to upend Western 6-5 in their regular season finale. Claire Maturo led the way with two goals, while Katy Renaud had a pair for the Mustangs.
Martha Ross scored three goals and Laura Chambers and Faye Pang had two each as the Gaels finished with a 10-7 win over Western Sunday. Melissa Kandola was impressive for Western, scoring four times.
Toronto enters the playoffs next weekend with an offence that is clicking, as they rang up 23 goals in their final two matches of the year, both wins. The Blues beat Guelph 13-2 early Sunday and then defeated Brock 10-4 later in the day to finish the season at 6-4-0.
Elsewhere, Brock defeated Guelph 11-4 Wednesday night but then lost 12-6 to Laurier in a match later that evening. The Badgers also beat McMaster 8-5 Sunday. The Gryphons finished with a win as they beat the Marauders 5-1 Sunday.
After losing their only match of the season back on October 1, the Hawks stormed through the remainder of their schedule, winning five straight matches and four in this week alone. League scoring leader Kirsten Gerrie exploded for six goals and added four assists in the Hawks' 21-5 thrashing of Western Friday. Erica Howard added three goals and five assists, while Leanne Nicholls scored four times with two assists in the rout. Laurier had a tougher time with the Martlets the following day, winning 11-6. Gerrie scored three times with four assists and Howard also had a hat-trick. In their final match of the regular season, the Hawks produced a great effort to hand East-leading Queen's a 6-3 loss, their first defeat of the season. Gerrie and Howard had two apiece in that match. The duo is dominating the OUA scoring race with Gerrie leading the way at 33 goals and 21 assists for 54 points and Howard in second at 25 goals and 18 assists for 43 points. Two players are tied for third at 28.
McGill bounced back from the Laurier loss to upend Western 6-5 in their regular season finale. Claire Maturo led the way with two goals, while Katy Renaud had a pair for the Mustangs.
Martha Ross scored three goals and Laura Chambers and Faye Pang had two each as the Gaels finished with a 10-7 win over Western Sunday. Melissa Kandola was impressive for Western, scoring four times.
Toronto enters the playoffs next weekend with an offence that is clicking, as they rang up 23 goals in their final two matches of the year, both wins. The Blues beat Guelph 13-2 early Sunday and then defeated Brock 10-4 later in the day to finish the season at 6-4-0.
Elsewhere, Brock defeated Guelph 11-4 Wednesday night but then lost 12-6 to Laurier in a match later that evening. The Badgers also beat McMaster 8-5 Sunday. The Gryphons finished with a win as they beat the Marauders 5-1 Sunday.