TROJANS CONTINUE WINNING WAYS
By ED O'LEARY, Expositor Staff
BRANTFORD _ The North Park Collegiate Trojans appeared to be an average run-of-the-mill
team when they lost their opening game of the season to the Paris District
High School Panthers. However, since that game they've been nothing short
of sensational in compiling a three-game winning streak in the Brant County
high school boys soccer league.
``There are three reasons for it,'' co-coach Andrea (Gump) Hawkins explained
after the Trojans defeated the Pauline Johnson Collegiate Thunderbirds 5-0
at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre on Thursday afternoon.
``First, we're playing like a team. Second, we're in good shape and the third
reason is that we're just playing hard. The kids are doing a very good job
of marking up defensively.''
The Trojans must play as a team if they hope to achieve success since they
don't have superstar-type players.
``None of them play on a provincial team but a bunch of them play on rep
teams,'' Hawkins said. ``Our kids just work hard and stay positive.''
She's also quick to point out that goalkeeper Evan Cooper and sweeper Joel
Smith play well together.
``They've played together for a long time, not only in soccer but also in
basketball,'' Hawkins noted.
``We're also getting great leadership from Joey Jenkins and Sam Menhinick
which is important,'' Hawkins said.
The Trojans jumped into a 2-0 lead in the first half. Jenkins opened the
scoring with a goal which came as the result of a corner kick and Craig Chittenden
scored after taking a pass from Mike Olmstead.
Jason Bowen, a hard-working forward, gave the Trojans a 3-0 lead early in
the second half after taking a pass from Chittenden.
Paul Garbaty and Bartech Hecht completed the scoring for North Park. Both
scoring plays were started from corner kicks.
The T-Birds played their poorest game of the season after coming off two
stellar performances, a 1-1 tie with the Assumption College Lions on Tuesday
and a 2-1 victory over the St. John's College Green Eagles last Thursday.
``We had four good chances and not one of them hit the net,'' said PJC co-coach
John Whitlock. ``That's been our problem all year.''
The T-Birds now have a record of one win, two losses and a tie and they're
in danger of missing the playoffs. They complete their regular-season schedule
with a game against the Panthers next Thursday.
``We've got to win our next game,'' said Whitlock. ``If we don't win that
one, we won't deserve to get in (the playoffs).''
Hisham Hijazi played well for the T-Birds.
In other action, the defending champion Lions finally got their game together
as they defeated the Mustangs 3-0 and St. John's defeated the Panthers 3-0.
``It's the first time we've had our full roster,'' noted Lions' co-coach
Tom Mercante, as Assumption got its first win to go along with two losses
and a tie. ``We've been cursed by injuries and students have been away on
school trips.''
Players back in the lineup for the Lions were Derek Ullman, Kyle Kerry, Rick
Valletta, David Hanley and goalkeeper Nathan Dorsey.
``The chemistry was there tonight for the first time since our exhibition
game,'' said Mercante. ``Everybody played their hearts out tonight.''
Derek Smith scored two goals for the Lions and Richard Yeoman got one goal.
Dorsey earned the shutout.
The Green Eagles improved to 2-2 with their victory over Paris District.
Jack Przednowek scored two goals and Mike Lenda got one. Alex Miserowsky
earned the shutout.
The Eagles' defensive line of Will Lopez, Jeremy Johnson, Greg O'Brien and
James Legacy turned in an outstanding game.
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