Voyageurs Weekend Preview: October 21-23, 2016
This weekend will be one of the first real, action-packed weekends for Voyageurs athletics as five teams are competing at home, including men’s and women’s hockey, men’s and women’s soccer and men’s and women’s swimming.
Beginning on Friday night, the men’s hockey team will look to make it two wins in a row as they welcome the Queen’s Gaels to Countryside Arena. Queen’s, who is currently tied with the Voyageurs in the OUA standings, are led by Slater Doggett who leads the Gaels in scoring with three goals and three assists. The Voyageurs will need to be sharp as the Queen’s goaltender, Kevin Baille, is always one of the top net-minders in the league. The Voyageurs will be looking to make it two wins in a row on Friday night after a three-point weekend last weekend.
On Saturday, the women’s soccer team will play the first of two home games this weekend when RMC rolls into Sudbury. RMC is currently tied for last place in the Eastern conference and presents the Voyageurs with an excellent opportunity to move up in the standings as the regular season nears its closing. Both teams are currently on a one game losing streak and the Voyageurs will be poised to right the ship.
Immediately after the women’s game, the men’s soccer team will host RMC with a similar situation to that of the women, as the Paladins men’s squad currently sits in last place in the East division. The RMC men’s team has yet to win a game this season and will give the Voyageurs an opportunity to close in on the top four teams in the OUA east.
Also highlighting a busy Saturday afternoon is the women’s hockey home opener at Countryside Arena against the Windsor Lancers. The Voyageurs are looking to build off a strong finish to last season and get their first win of this season against the Lancers. Head coach Stacey Colarossi said she is looking forward to playing at home this weekend and is “looking forward to a great home atmosphere and support from the local community and fans.” The Voyageurs hit the ice led by third-year forward Ellery Veerman who dawns the captaincy for the 2016-2017 season.
The men’s and women’s swimming team begin their 2016-17 season as they welcome the Ottawa Gee-Gees to the Jeno Tihanyi Olympic Gold Pool on Saturday and Sunday to compete in the Laurentian Invitational. Highlighting the Voyageurs squad is third-year standout, Matthew Schouten, who is coming off a fourth place finish at the CIS championships last year. Along with Schouten is the veteran core of female swimmers that includes Riley Konrad, Julie Langlois and Léa Paulus. Both squads will look to get their season off on the right foot as they look to recapture the deBray Divisional Championships after missing out on the banner last season.
The race for the playoffs really heats up at the Laurentian soccer fields on Sunday, when the Voyageurs host the Queen’s Gaels. The Voyageurs currently sit three points behind Queen’s in the standings, and with a win on Sunday can move into a tie for third place or better in the East division. The Voyageurs are sure to come out hard and fast, eager to chase the top of the standings.
After the women’s game, the men’s team finds themselves in almost an identical situation as the women. The men’s team also hosts Queen’s who is just two points ahead of the Voyageurs in the standings. With a win on Sunday, the men’s team will move into sole possession of fourth place. The Voyageurs who are on a two-game losing slump will look to right the ship on the weekend with a victory and a move up in the standings.
On Sunday afternoon, the women’s hockey team will play their second game in as many days as they host the Western Mustangs. Western currently sits atop the OUA standings, although it is still early in the season. The Voyageurs open the season with two tough opponents, but also with a team full of returners and new faces eager to get the season going. Countryside Arena is sure to be packed with highflying women’s hockey action as the season gets underway this weekend.
Laurentian University's Department of Athletics is home to 23 varsity sports teams. The Voyageurs decorated history of pride and tradition includes 62 provincial championships as well as 10 national championships in 54 years of competition.
Riley Brooks
Sports Writer