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46 Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2008 Beijing sendoff GOOD LUCK: Local resident Colin Russell signs autographs for a few Dolphins Swim Club members Saturday at Picadeli Restaurant. The Dolphins held a sendoff for Russell, who will represent Canada at the upcoming Olympic Summer Games in Beijing, and presented him with a commissioned painting (inset photo) by Keith Deimer. Russell will compete in the 200-metre freestyle event and will also join Oakville's Andrew Hurd on the 4x200m freestyle relay team. DEREK WOOLLAM / OAKVILLE BEAVER Hawks start strong in defense of Halton girls' soccer title By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF BURLINGTON -- Playing in last year's Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations girls' soccer tournament wasn't just a learning experience for the Loyola Hawks. "It was more of a humbling experience," said coach Sean Heaney. "But you look at the big picture and we found out what we need to be competitive." The Hawks demonstrated they could play with the best teams in the province when they defeated the 2006 OFSAA bronze medalist Assumption Crusaders in overtime to claim last year's Halton title. And with just three players graduating from that team, Loyola returns as a favourite to defend its title and, perhaps, make a bit more noise at the provincial Hawks a chance to win even against the tournament. Of course, in addition to its best teams. Against Nelson, she showed graduating players, the Hawks' roster did outstanding decision-making skills, take a significant hit with the loss of mid- seemingly always knowing the right time fielder Caroline Szwed and to challenge the shooter. "It was more of a midfielder/forward When Nelson had the Angelika Uremovich, the humbling experience. advantage of a strong wind Oakville Soccer Club's out- But... we found out in the second half, she standing female youth what we need to be made several clutch saves. player in 2006. Both are competitive." She made a diving stop on playing with the under-17 one Nelson shot, came national team. sliding out of her net to Loyola coach Sean Still, the Hawks are a Heaney, on last year's block another close-range well-balanced team. They OFSAA experience attempt, and late in the demonstrated that game leaped to tip a headWednesday with a 2-0 win over the er over the crossbar. "Having that strong goalie who will Nelson Lords, winners of back-to-back come out and clean up the ball and take Halton titles prior to last season. Loyola's strength begins in net where that hit to make the save like Monica did Monica Maher, an Ontario Cup champion in the second half, that can be the differwith the Oshawa Kicks, will give the ence," Heaney said. Loyola is certainly capable of scoring at the other end. Four different players -- two from Jenn O'Brien and one each from Emilie Clarke, Stacey Cusan and Julia Marchese -- scored in a seasonopening 5-1 win over Iroquois Ridge. Against Nelson, Clark scored for the second game in a row, using what coach Sarah Humby calls her "ridiculous speed" to beat a defender down the right sideline before unleashing a hard shot into the far top corner. Julia Kelly added to the lead minutes later, burying a rebound past two diving defenders. There is so much scoring talent up front that the Hawks moved Jennifer Chuey, who scored the winning goals in last year's Halton semifinal and final victories, back to midfield. "She's doing a job that I'm not sure See Loyola page 47 $ 2375 Wyecroft Road Oakville · 1-866-451-2722 · email: sales@oakvilletoyota.ca 23,400 $ 14,565 $ 15,705