Weekend Recap (Sept 29th & 28th)
Men's Hockey
Game 1
On the road for the 1st two Away games of the season, the Sault College Cougars took on a Trine University hockey Club coming off of a win and tie vs Michigan Wolverines the weekend previous. In a rough and evenly played 1st period, the Cougars got out to a quick lead with Brad Thrower striking on the PP 5 mins into the frame. Minutes later, Trine would strike for 2 PP goals of their own 40 seconds apart to take a 2-1 lead. Both teams traded chances late and Cougars goalie Drew Gregory made a few nice stops but the score held up with the Cougars down a goal into intermission. The rough play continued into the 2nd with both clubs trading power plays throughout. Just 7 minutes in, Brad Thrower scored again tying the score at 2-2. Only 3 minutes later Trine notched 2 quick goals a minute apart to go up 4-2 and chase starter Gregory from the game. With Sault College pressing hard and outworking Trine, Kaiden MacDonald notches a beautiful SH goal with 2 minutes left in the period to cut the lead to 4-3. That score would hold up heading to 2nd intermission. Coming out for the 3rd, the Cougars continued to press and plug away and it pays off with Ryan Vendramin tying up the game 4-4 at the 16 minute mark. That lead was short-lived as Trine was buzzing around the crease and after a couples chances Trine buried the go ahead goal making it 5-4. With both teams battling for the next goal, play was end to end for most of the period. With the Cougars down a goal and 90 seconds to play, Sault College pulled the goalie for the extra attacker. After a couple of chances and a couple of play stoppages, the Cougars gained possession in the Trine zone and after some nice puck movement, a shot from the point from Andrew Barbeau found the top corner with 5 seconds left to play notching the game at 5-5.
Oozing confidence after killing off a Trine PP heading into OT, Sault College gets a PP of their own in OT and makes Trine pay as Ryan Vendramin fires a one-timer from the face off dot over the Trine goaltender's blocker shoulder to silence the arena and send Sault College to a 6-5 OT victory. Scoring for the Cougars were Brad Thrower with 2G, 2 A, Max Khull with 2 A, Ryan Vendramin 2G, Andrew Barbeau 1G,1A , Kaiden McDonald 1G, and Kaelen O'Flynn and Gage Stephany with 1A each.
Game 2
In the game 2 rematch, Trine University came out playing physical and it cost them early. Penalty trouble saw them in the box for most of the period and the Cougars would capitalize. 4 PP goals in the first 15 minutes had Sault College up 4-0 and the Trine Thunder in a big hole. Trine however, scores late to make it 4-1 heading into the 1st intermission. With the Cougars coming out of the gates strong in the second, Sault College increases the lead to 5-1 on a goal by Ryan Vendramin. Second period play was dominated by the Cougars as Max Khull would add another at the 6 minute mark but Trine would manage a late goal of their own in the frame to send the teams into the rooms at the break with a 6-2 score. 3rd period play was back and forth with both teams trading chances and scoring opportunities. Mark Tassone would add some insurance notching his Hat-Trick goal with 7 minutes to play making it a 7-2 game. The Cougars would take a couple of late penalties but kill them off as the game would settle in at the same 7-2 score. Goaltender Justin Richer was steady throughout the contest in getting the win. Scoring for the Cougars were Mark Tassone 3 G, Ryan Vendramin 2G, Max Khull 1 G, 1 A, Mitchell Devins-Cann 1G, Andrew Barbeau 2A, Brad Thrower 2 A, Kaiden McDonald, Noah Serre, Gage Stephany and Kaelen O'Flynn each with 1A.
Women's Hockey
Game 1
The Cougars battled hard in game 1 against the defending league champions Adrian Bulldogs. The Cougars had tied the match up at 2:24 of the Third period only to lose a heart breaker with 48 seconds left. Jenelle Manitowabi (McHigeeg, ON) faced 32 shots in the loss. Olivia Barsanti (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) got the hat trick for the Cougars while Kaitlyn Mousseau (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) assisted on all three. Mackenzie Nadeau (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) also pocketed two assists. Erin Gillespie (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) had a strong defensive game against the Bulldogs with quick outs that were coupled with smart defensive play.
Game 2
The Cougars fought hard through two periods and looked to be in for a good finish. The Cougars brought the match to its closest point mid-way through the second thanks to goal by Mispon Martin (Timmins, ON ) assisted by Mousseau which made the score 2 – 1. Down by one and headed into the 3rd period the Cougars were plagued by slow play and penalties and fell 5-1. Manitowabi faced 45 shots with 18 of those coming in the final frame.
The Cougars are looking forward to a rematch against Adrian here at home on February 1st and 2nd at the Rankin Arena.
Men's Soccer
This past weekend the Men's team traveled to Toronto to take on Seneca and George Brown Colleges. The Cougars made big stride in both games playing against a couple of the best teams in the province. In both games the cougars played with intensity controlled moments in the second half of these games. In the second game versus George Brown the Goal keeper Tyler Davie stopped a penalty shot and was a standout all weekend.
Final score Seneca 8 – Cougars 0, George Brown 8 – Cougars – 1
Women's Soccer
The Woman's soccer team was on the road this weekend in Toronto. Saturday the Cougars played a very strong Seneca team. A new formation was used against Seneca as we knew they would be strong. The coaching staff was very pleased with their strong play and felt this was one of their better games structurally. The Woman fell 8-0 against Seneca. On Sunday the Woman played George Brown. The Cougars were able to get the lead early in the game off a free Kick from Taryn Gazankas. The Huskies were responded with a late goal in the first half to make it 1-1. Mikaela Caputo also made a spectacular save off a penalty kick in extra at the end of the first half to keep the Cougars tied going into the second half. Unfortunately, the woman were not able to hold off the speedy Huskies in the second half and lost the game 4-1. The coaching staff is very please with the hard effort and grit they demonstrated.
The Women's team plays Loyalist on Saturday Oct. 5 followed by Fleming on Sunday Oct. 6.
Cross Country
On Sunday 29th September 19 Sault College Cross country team competed in the 34th Annual Trail Trot at Kinsman Park in the Hiawatha Highlands.
The Sault College Men's team had three of the top 5 finishers. Andrew Budau led the Cougar attack followed by Jordan Reinke and Krish Jeyabalan. Leading the Sault College Women's team was Emily Pollard followed by Hilary Ireton and Stacey Bursche.
Up next for the Sault College Cross Country team is the Muskegon Community College Invitational on October 11, 2019.