TRENT GOES DOWN SHOOTING (Part 1 )

What a game!  Unbelievable!  Did you see that?  Those phrases echoed the halls of the PSB Wilson Athletic Complex at Trent University after the completion of, what some are calling, the most memorable games in the programs history.  After 120 minutes of intense playoff action Trent’s fate was decided by the dreaded penalty shootout, thus, ending the exciting 2008 run of the most successful Excalibur Men’s Soccer Team ever.

If you were unfortunate to have missed “The Game” that had it all, it will be difficult to articulate here its intensity, animosity, controversy, boisterousness, historical importance, or its technical merit.  But, it had it all.

Ryerson fans arrived first.  Obviously they were in quite a mood all ready, sporting apparel, horns, and megaphone.  As Trent supporters started to trickle in, it became apparent that competing factions would be vying for the loudest presence.  “None of the surroundings affected us.  We were just too focused on the game itself and Coach had us prepared for anything” said defending standout Jon Mondino.

Trent did seem ready indeed and contrary to one newspaper report, controlled the pace of the first half.   An opening Ryerson kickoff was gathered up by a sturdy Excalibur defence and found a Michael Dappah bullet ricochet off the Rams post within two minutes after the start.  Dappah connected, once again, later in the half with first year striker Jose Ruben Valenzuela Osuna to send in Trent scoring leader Thaddeus Bolton for his first chance of the evening.

Ryerson’s chances frequently came from about 30 – 35 yards out as Trent seemed to be content to allow keeper Navi Sidhu to handle strikes from that distance.  When he did he proved to be quite effective at creating Trent’s counter by playing balls wide particularly to speedster Sean Beech.  Although, Trent dictated the pace of the opening frame, Ryerson squandered their first real chance when striker Daniel Hartman slipped in unmarked to get on to the end of a free kick that landed on the six yard box and placed it over the open net.  Trent looked to play a little more cautious after the near miss.  However, Mondino played a ball out of the back that found Bolton in on goal again, but again without the desired result.

With nothing on the scoreboard Ryerson at no time looked broken by the Excalibur pressure. A corner kick with less than five minutes to go in the first half took a merciless deflection off the near post Trent defender to a more than accommodating Hartman who made up for his first miss.  “I don’t know what more I could have done,” recollected Mondino who was the victim of the deflection.  Both teams retired from the cold of the first half with Ryerson stealing a 1-0 lead.

“How we pressured wide was the only thing Coach addressed during the break.  He told us that everything was good other than the score so we would have to finish by willing the ball into the net,” said second year standout Aaron “skip” Thompson.  Thompson’s stellar performances have been credited with being the mastermind behind some of Thaddeus Bolton’s record breaking goals this season.  “He’s sick, so accurate.  I finish what he serves up.”

The second half opens with an onslaught of will and determination.  Not to mention, a technical clinic on skill and passing.  Ryerson at best looked confused at times with the speed of play imposed on them by our determined Trent crew. However, still no goals for the Excalibur.  The clock seemed to take its toll on everyone.

With about 25 minutes left Trent defenders were more deliberate in their attack.  Relentless runs by Brandon Weigel , Mondino, and Dustin Truscio became a standard till the end of the game.  The confidence to push forward instilled in them by the acrobatic all-star performance of final year defender Kwabe Adu-poku.  Then one of the most memorable moments of the year as Captain Andrew Knapp returned the field for the first time in 12 games after a knee injury.  “Cromwell (Damille) was causing all kinds of trouble in the midfield for them, but they were doubling and tripling up on Thaddeus.  We thought if we could push through with some muscle it would create opportunities else where.  Andrew is one of the strongest we have.”

The gamble proved genius, at least for the moment.  Knapp breaks away from two defenders to win a ball going out for a goal kick and heads it back to Bolton who side foots it into the netting.  1-1. Minutes remaining.  We are headed to overtime.

Does overtime not prove to simply be a mini version of the game just played.  Ryerson chances are from well outside the area except for a miraculous save taken in the chest by Sidhu.  “People often forget that as well as we played, there were moments when we broke that Navi proved his professional abilities,” proudly stated Coach Bolton.  Trent continued to force Ryerson to play chase but unable to find the goal a second time.  As if scripted a corner kick misplayed by Trent is left rolling in the Excalibur goal.

To complete the d

TRENT RACES TO THE FINISH

Four Game Unbeaten Streak Another First

With four games remaining in the regular season, Trent’s Men’s Varsity Soccer team set out in search of a guaranteed playoff spot.  Head Coach, Claude Bolton quipped that “…we don’t want to leave this in anyone else’s hands.  We are more than capable of securing our own spot and charting our own course.

Scheduled to first host both Nippissing and Laurentian and then make the return 5 hour trek to the same two schools, points were of the utmost importance as these were to be the last four games of the season and all three schools not yet guaranteed a playoff berth.

True to form and with tremendous performances, that proved Trent to be as deep as talented, the Excalibur racked up 3 wins and 1 tie.  Captain, Andrew Knapp, out all season with a knee injury, was extremely proud of his teammates, “Great to watch.  Every game has been so intense.  We have experienced everything.  Unbelievable to have guys like Bobby (McNab) and Keegs (Keegan Muldoon) come off the bench to score enormous goals.”  A sentiment echoed by Coach Bolton, “…and they have been able to focus all year, whether behind, ahead, or tied – that’s something new as the players are maturing.”

The 4 game unbeaten streak, the first in the programs history, not only guaranteed a playoff berth but impressively gave Trent a top four finish, which guaranteed them the university’s first home playoff game in the 41 years of competing in the OUA soccer program.

Trent Excalibur takes on the Ryerson Rams on October 22^nd at home at 6:00pm.  Come on out to be part of the history making.

Trent defeats Nipissing 1-0 in battle for the playoffs

Trent University played a strong match against Nipissing University that ended in a Trent victory.  Trent played with a strong offensive showing, which was met by Nipissing's defense, who were able to keep Trent from scoring from a direct attack.  It was on a penalty kick from Thaddeus Bolton that Trent was able to score late in the first, leaving the half to finish with Trent ahead by one.

The second half of play saw Nipissing pressing hard offensively in a effort to bring the game to a tie.  Both teams were tied for shots on net, but Nipissing wasnt be to convert on the attempts and the second half, and game ended with a final score of Trent University - 1, Nipissing - 2.

Thaddeus Bolton is now ranked 2nd in the country in scoring.

The annual Trent Festival, the Head of The Trent started off with the mens soccer team meeting with the Carleton Ravens.  The Ravens, being ranked 4th in the nation put up a strong front against Trent, but Trent was able to hold them off with excellent defense and goal keeping.  Goal Keep Navi Sidhu, and defenseman Sean Beech of Trent thwarted a strong offensive showing, giving Trent a highly favourable tie against the Ottawa university. 

Following the men’s soccer, the women were up next against the Ravens.  The Trent women, had a spirited defense, but were unable to stop the playmaking of Carleton.  Carleton scored early in the first half, and with this momentum, continued to make offensive advances on the Trent women. The women went into the second half only down by 1, but Carleton pressed hard and it payed off with Carleton pocketing 2 more goals late in the second.  The Trent women continued to fight, but were unable to score against the Carleton.  The game was left to finish as a shutout for the Carleton women with a score 3 to 0.

Keeping up with field sports at the Symons campus varsity field, the Trent men played against the Golden Gaels of Queens University.  The young Trent team gave all they had against the Gaels, but the Queen powerhouse was too much for Trent, and, despite the effort, Trent saw a loss to the Kingston based club.

Trent finished the night on the field with another match versus Queens, with the men’s Lacrosse team seeing the action.  The match saw its first action with a goal by Peterborough local Josh Wasson early in the first quarter.  The dominate Trent play making allowed Trent to outplay the Gaels, and put away another 3 goals before Queens was able to put themselves on the board.  Alex Renaud, Mack O’brien and Josh Booth were able to score, leaving the score at 4 - 1 for Trent.  Wasson was able to put away another goal, which was matched by Josh Bean, which in turn saw Wasson scoring another two consecutive goals - giving the first period a final score of 8 to 1 for Trent University.  Queen’s fought back, and was able to reclaim 3 more goals before Trent went back on the offense, being led by Brett Dutkus, Obrien, Seamus Mcgee all contributing goals to the Trent effort.  This bought the game to a close with a  final of 14 - 4 for the Trent men.

The Head of the Trent is named such because of the annual rowing regatta that takes place along the Otonabee river, passing through Trent University.  The top schools in Ontario such as Queens University, the University of Western Ontario and Brock University showed up for the 4.65 KM race.  Trent was able to place in the following division - heavyweight single womens by Jennifer Tuters; the lightweight mens double, taken by Karim Pringle and Andrew Harman.  The heavyweight womens eight was also able to take 2nd place beating out Brock University, as well as the coxed women's four taking 3rd. Peterborough born Trent alumni, and former pan-american athlete Brent Holmes took the gold for the mens champion single, posting the fastest single time of the day with a time of 17 minutes and 52 second.

VARSITY CLOTHING

PICK-UP

Varsity athletes who ordered Russell Athletic clothing can pick up their items

Friday, October 3, 2008

3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Multi-Purpose Room

Athletics Complex

Please see your team coordinator to provide payment before you pick up your order.  If you can't connect with your team coordinator, payment can be made by cash or cheque at the scheduled pick-up time on Friday.

Students who are awaiting items on backorder, ordered previously through the varsity online store, can also pick up those items on Friday.

Note:  Women's Volleyball -- Your team coordinator, Christina Skrypka, will be picking up your entire team order on Friday, to distribute to you separately.

Please contact Leslie Dalliday, Athletics Department, at 748-1011 x7633 if you have any questions