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Hurricanes Men's Soccer: Canes Capture 1st Win at CCAA Nationals
Thursday, November 10, 2011
The Holland Hurricanes men's soccer team have found a way to rise to the occasion once again. Coming into the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association championships the Canes were ranked sixth out of six teams and got the pleasure of facing the powerhouse Vancouver Island University Mariners in ...more
Hurricanes Men's Soccer: Canes Capture 1st Win at CCAA Nationals
The Holland Hurricanes men's soccer team have found a way to rise to the occasion once again. Coming into the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association championships the Canes were ranked sixth out of six teams and got the pleasure of facing the powerhouse Vancouver Island University Mariners in their opening game last night.
The game was a seesaw battle with the Canes showing determination and grit throughout the first half. The Mariners pushed hard offensively until the Canes gained composure and managed to generate scoring opportunities as the half progressed. The scoreless tie was broken on a successful header converting a corner for the Mariners in the thirty-sixth minute. The goal seemed to spark the Hurricanes as the pushed back to end the opening half.
Coach Jonathan Vos and assistant Tommy Craig to make some minor adjustments to trigger a more aggressive attack to start the second period of play. The hotly contested affair went back and forth with Vancouver Island focusing on closing out the Canes. While The mariners looked confident the underdog Hurricanes began to muster a concerted effort with more energy than the blue-mohawked crew from the west coast.
The pesky Canes refused to back down and the game tying goal was scored off a monumental free kick from the foot of fullback Jordan Lindsay. Lindsay let sail a rocket from the just inside of half and beat the keeper in the top left side of the net. The goal came in the seventy-sixth minute and the enthusiasm from the marker carried the game to a new level for the Canes.
Vancouver Island were shaken by the momentum changing goal and the canes surge did not stop as another free kick in the eighty-fourth minute again from Lindsay resulted in a rebound and all-star midfielder Jeremy Joly pounce on the loose ball driving it into the open left lower corner.
The estatic Canes then shielded the desperate mariners attack and keeper Chris Hayes settled the team with outstanding rebound control and clearing efforts. As time wound down the Canes could feel what some consider to be the biggest upset in recent years coming into their possession.
Coach Vos was thrilled with the victory to open the tournament citing that the hard-work of his team was rewarded "We were pleased with our first half and we knew if we could get our players to be more patient and settle down then we could overcome the deficit we faced going back out to start the second half. We used some subs at critical times and ultimately our win puts us in a good position as we move forward" Fullback Rainer Zehetner was chosen the Hurricanes game star.
The Canes will get little rest as they go back on the pitch to face the Quebec champion Champlain College Cavaliers today at 6:30 Atlantic time. the Cavaliers are ranked number four in the CCAA coming into the championships.
The game is being broadcast on http://sports.tvgo.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=945:ccaa&catid=52:chaines&Itemid=153 or fans can join the crowd at Dooly's on Kent st to share in the atmosphere as the match will be shown on the big screen.
Other Recent News Items
- Hurricanes Men's Soccer: Off to Quebec
- Hurricanes Men's Soccer: DESTINED FOR NATIONALS IN QUEBEC CITY
Hurricanes Men's Soccer: Off to Quebec
The men's soccer team are heading into the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association's championships in Quebec City with an attitude. After winning the ACAA banner last week in Saint John the 'Canes have committed to pushing their game to another level. The Holland Hurricanes enter play as an undefeated squad after sweeping the ACAA's last weekend to produce a season record of nine wins and three draws. The Atlantic champions are down to the final six teams in the nation still seeking the national title.
The Championships are hosted by Quebec powerhouse FX Garneau Elans and will feature champions from PacWest, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and the Hurricanes.
For the Hurricanes the road to a national title has to first pass through the country's top seeded team - the Vancouver Island University Mariners. The 'Canes step into action Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Atlantic. The second matchup will see the Canes pitted against the fourth ranked Champlain-St. Lambert Cavaliers on Thursday again at 6:30 PM Atlantic. Saturday's placement games will be determined by the results coming out of these two games. Two wins and the team will be launched into the gold medal matchup.
Coach Jonathan Vos is realistic about his team's chances. "From the onset of this season the team has shown they are strong in challenging situations. While we can rely on that character giving us some confidence going in, our team will have to raise the bar to compete against the other champions from across the country. The approach we will take will be to stay focused on our strengths and minimize the mistakes."
While the stakes are higher the Hurricanes are getting more familiar with the setting having competed in four straight national championships, two with the men and two with the women. This experience will be a valuable asset as the Canes appear ready to fight for a solid placement.
The players are optimistic and quickly jump to the mark when asked for any predictions. Captain Simon Hood says "We are not taking anything for granted but in front of us is a great opportunity to compete and show we belong with the top schools in the country. We have great coaching and we believe in each other so let's play the matches and see where we can take this momentum"
The 'Canes have a mix of home grown talent and some key players from abroad including midfielder Jeremy Joly, born in the Netherlands and Austria Rainer Zehetner who are both league all-stars. The team's success is built on a variety pack of contributors which seems to change every week. For the 'Canes to continue the successful rise to national recognition they will need al their firepower and defensive prowess to shine this week in Old Quebec.
Hurricanes Men's Soccer: DESTINED FOR NATIONALS IN QUEBEC CITY
The Holland Hurricanes completed some unfinished business by returning to Saint John and winning the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association's men's soccer championship. The Hurricanes were snowed out on Sunday when the final match was canceled just after the half because of unfit weather conditions.
The game featured the first place Hurricanes against the home town UNBSJ Seawolves who finished in second place in league standings. The matchup was anticipated to be a barnburner and the players ensured no one left disappointed.
The Hurricanes came out with a tenacious offensive attack and produced numerous scoring opportunities resulting. The Canes were rewarded with a Darren Lundrigan goal off of a well-placed free kick from Jordan Lindsay at the twelve minute mark. Fellow Montague teammate Mitchell Schellen combined with Lundrigan to move the margin to two goals with a marker at thirty-two minutes. The first half ended with the Hurricanes enjoying a well-deserved two to nil lead.
Some say the worst lead to have is a two to zero lead and the Canes probably would agree. The Seawolves came alive instantly in the second half with a pair of goals at the forty eight and fifty five minute marks. With the game tied the teams battled back and forth as the intensity rose with good saves at both ends of the pitch.
The turning point in the match turned out to be in the seventy-second minute when the pair of Lundrigan and Schellen linked up again on a pretty passing play resulting in a go-ahead goal for the Canes. The fast-paced affair went back and forth for the remainder of the game until the final whistle blew. Lundrigan was awarded the player of the match for his two goals and one assist effort.
The win sees the Canes continue their unbeaten season and celebrates the second ACAA banner for men's soccer. Hurricanes varsity soccer has now won championships in four straight seasons. (2008 - women, 2009 - men, 2010 - women and 2011 - men).
Head coach Jon Vos was pleased with the result commenting "Our goal was to play a full 90 minutes with
heart and be smart. Our team was focused on this championship all season and I am happy to see the players achieve this success. We have looked at playing in the nationals as a goal and we are confident that we will represent our conference well"
The Hurricanes have earned a trip to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association soccer nationals held in Quebec City on Nov 9 through 12, 2011.
Upcoming Action
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| Season Record |
1st Place 7-0-3 (W-L-T) Capture ACAA Championship ( 3-2 UNBSJ) Capture Silver at CCAA Soccer Championships |
| Award Winners | Jonathan Vos – ACAA Coach of the Year Jeremy Joly – 1st All Conference Cody Field – 1st All Conference Simon Hood – 1st All Conference Chris Hayes – 2nd All Conference Rainer Zehetner – 2nd All Conference Jordan Lindsay – 2nd All Conference Jeff Rodgerson – 2nd All Conference |
| History | ACAA Champions 2011 ACAA Champions 2009 |
Coach Profiles
Coach Jonathan Vos is heading into his third year as head coach of the men's team at Holland College.
He has a National 'B' Soccer license, and has being working with the PEI Soccer Association for the past year at the grass-roots level. He is also experience in coaching provincial teams at all levels, and was assistant coach of 2009 PEI Men's Canada Games team.
"With the loss of many veteran players, the 2010 season will be a challenging one; but this gives new players the opportunity to step in and help defend the ACAA championship."
Contact
For more information, contact Nadine Starvert .
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