Oct. 1 Ridley roundup
Prep Boys Hockey got off to a perfect start at the Tiger Challenge Cup on home ice.
The Tigers went 5-0 at the tournament, defeating Compuware U18 20, Loyola Academy 8-1, Le Sommet 1-0 in a shootout, Lake Forest Academy 3-0 and Academie St. Louis 4-1.
Rylee Hlusiak and Sam Christiano led the way with three goals each while Luke Haymes, Nick Athanasakos and Brady Hildreth each had two.
“As a staff, we are very happy with where we are as a group,” head coach Mike McCourt said. “We’ve come a long way since the start of September and we are beginning to establish our identity. There is still some fine tuning that needs to be done before league play starts in November, but there is a lot to like about where we are at right now.
“As great as our offensive performance was this weekend, we are a group that prides ourselves on team defence. So to come out of a five-game weekend only letting in two goals, including three shutouts, is something we are extremely proud of.”
The Tigers, 7-1-1 overall, are home A21 Academy Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 4:30 p.m. and the Northwood Showcase (October 5-6 in Lake Placid, N.Y.)
Girls Field Hockey
Varsity girls field hockey team dropped a 3-2 decision to Havergal in CISAA action at Ridley.
Hannah McMaster and Angela Finn scored for the Tigers.
“The Tigers were keen to put a mark in the win column and hoped that this might happen for them today,” coach Brian Mino said. “Havergal felt the same as both teams had yet to do so.
“The first half was full of end to end action. Havergal jumped out early and was able to put two goals away within the first 20 minutes of the game. This lit a fire in the Tigers and they responded with real enthusiasm and increased the tempo of their play. Hannah McMaster scored first for Ridley followed not long after by a goal from rookie, Angela Finn after a scramble in front of the net. The score remained tied at 2-2 for much of the remainder of the game. It was only in the final five minutes of the game that Havergal was able to capitalize on a short corner opportunity and score.”
Mino came away encouraged.
“Though the Tigers came up short, they should be encouraged by improved team play and a greater understanding of what we need to focus on for next practice. The Tigers head to Villanova College on Wednesday for a league game and then to a tournament in Mississauga for the day on Thursday. This back-to-back field hockey action should give the team a chance to earn their first mark in the win column.”
The Tigers also dropped a 2-1 decision to St. John’s Kilmarnock.
McMaster scored for the lone goal for Ridley.
“This was a physical and skilled game between two perennial powerhouse teams,” Mino said. “Ridley was able to use their fast foot speed and good ball handling skills to make a number of attacks. Forwards Riley McMaster and Hannah McMaster did a good job of moving the ball quickly down the field. SJK was able to use their long drive and to make some plays deep in their offensive end.
“Ridley’s defence, including sweeper Olivia Massis and left defender Vanessa Ferrante, made a number of key tackles to keep Ridley in the game. SJK was able to capitalize on a confusing hand signal by the referee and got the goal to put them ahead. They were just able to hold on to the lead for Ridley spent the final moments of the game working hard in their offensive end to try to even the score. The Ridley team made great positional improvements this game over Monday and are starting to really come together as a team.”
Rowing
Girls Rowing
Following are results from the Head of the Welland 5 Bridges Fall Classic:
U19 W8+ – second place: (Sophie Sharpe, Charlotte Drennan, Gabrielle Cook, Rylie Wake, Ella McRae, Sarah Anderson, Ipek Derinkok, Gabrielle Morewood, Vanessa Russell).
U19 W4+ – third place: (Sophie Sharpe, Charlotte Drennan, Gabrielle Cook, Rylie Wake, Ella McRae).
U19 W4x+ seventh place: (Taylor Searle, Vanessa Russell, Jeneva Nitsopoulos, Claire Sun, Abigayle Guyer)
U19 W2x – 21st, (Jeneva Nitsopoulos, Abigayle Guyer).
U19 W4+ – DNF -injury (Taylor Searle, Sarah Anderson, Ipek Derinkok, Gabrielle Morewood, Claire Sun)
“This was a solid start to our racing season. It is a well run regatta and the 5.2 km course is a good first race for our crews. We will be looking to build off this weekend as we prepare for Trent next weekend. All crews have identified what things went well and what they want to work on going forward,” coach Siobhan McLaughlin said.
Up Next: Head of the Trent (Peterborough) on Oct. 6.
Boys Rowing
The Tigers earned three medals at the first fall regatta at the Welland Flatwater Centre.
The men’s junior eight placed first, the men’s junior four second and the men’s junior eight third.
“This is the first regatta of the fall season. Great to get out on a great stretch of water with great weather and conditions. Team performed well against competition from the Niagara Region and Western New York at our first regatta of the fall season. Looking forward to racing in Peterborough, Boston and Saratoga over the next four weeks,” coach Dereck Schwandt said.
Alumni
Mackenzie Copp (2012) and Clarke Shultz (2017) both won silver medals at the National Rowing Championships in Burnaby this past weekend.
Copp and his crewmate, Cody Bailey, were second in the senior men’s category, while Clarke and his crewmate, Brenden Wall, finished second in the U23 men’s category.
Katherine Walker (2013) represented the Ridley Graduate Boat Club in the lightweight senior women’s single and made the final, finishing sixth in the country.
Jason Dorland (1983) made his national broadcasting debut commentating at the event with CBC Sports.
Soccer
First Boys Soccer dropped a 2-1 decision at Appleby College in CISAA play. Ridley played very well in the Appleby Homecoming. An Alex Vera cross was headed across goal by junior Mackenzie Kemp-Griffin and Joel Andinda prodded the ball over the goal line to take a one goal lead in the second half. The home side equalized mid-way through the second frame before netting the winner in the last five minutes of play. It was a tough defeat for the Tigers who put plenty of work into the match and were unfortunate not to come away with points out of the league match.
Ridley will regroup and look to be ready to compete against Upper Canada College in the next CISAA league match on Wednesday.
U16 Boys Soccer fell 7-1 at St. Mike’s College School in Toronto in their season opener.
Chioma Jude-Monye netted the lone Ridley goal.
“Good learning experience for the boys. Have to hold your head up against a much stronger opposition. Hoping to see an increased level of compete in future games,” coach Paul O’Rourke said.
Cross-country
Harriers
Harriers opened their season at the Bullsog Invitational at Burgoyne Woods.
Despite humid weather and rain, the team had a strong season opener competing against more than 500 athletes from the surrounding area. The highlights of the meet included a strong showing by Alison Leach (midget girls), Chloe Winterbottom (junior girls) and Kennedy Stock (senior girls, who placed fifth overall in a very competitive race.
The boys also had a strong showing led by Daniel Caliskan.
Harriers will continue to train hard for the upcoming Charge the Hill XC Meet on Oct. 2 at Kelso Conservation Area in Milton.
Golf
The golf team failed to qualify at Deer Creek.
Sammy Rootes 86, Cameron Kiemele 87, Bradyn Wark 89, Noah Sloan 94 combined to shoot 356.
“The opening event of the year showed that the boys had some rust to shake off. Unfortunately, they were unable to qualify for OFSAA this year. A bright spot for the team is freshman Sammy Rootes shooting the low score for the team. A good sign for things to come,” coach Peter Doyle said.
SUPPORT US
On the right side of our web site, you will notice a yellow SUPPORT US button.
We are asking anyone who finds value in our work and is able to financially help us to click on the button and contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate and can afford. There is no set amount. Any amount is appreciated.
The funds collected will be used to enhance and offset the expenses of running the web site.
