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Marauders' struggles continue The Canadian Champion, Friday, JuIy 13, 2007 - A23 By Murray Townsend It was the same old story for the Marauders Saturday aternoon at Milton District High School, as they I-cil 36-O to the defending NEC champion Oshawa Hawkeyes. Not just the resuit, but the texture of the game was similar to many of the rebuilding clubs earli- er defeats. As usual, opposing teams start out trying to mun against the Marauders, have littie to no success, and then take to the air - where they are much more effective. As usual, the only consistent offensive force was runningback George Baiden, and as usual two- time NI-C defensive player-of-the- year Craig Davoren was a monster. Not so usual is the fact th1at frustration appears to bc reaching the hoiling point. "We have the talcnt hiere,- said Davoren, who also serves as defensive cci ordinator. "On paper we're not an 0-5 teamn, but we dont play thc gainc on paper. We'vc got îo hring il out on gamne dax'. So what do they need to do to improve? "Defense is a unit, not like the offense where you can get individual performnances at running back and other positions," said Davoren. - Right now we're not playing as a unit. We've got the tal- ent, we've just got to gel il together- Teams that try to mun on the Marauders are often stopped for short gains or lusses, but Davoren wants tu see more pressure on the quar- terbac ks when they start passing. They're getting far too much time and too many receivers are being left wide open. Offensively, very littie worked Saturday. Receivers can catch the hall when it's thrown to tlcihen )11t l 0too '\( lit fl iiLý 01one t Milton only thrcatcned to score twicc, once on a lengthy field goal attempt hy Ryan Koistra - who's been reliable overaîl this season - that came up short. fThe other was on an uncharacter- istic fumble by Baiden after the Marauders had driven to the Oshawa 15-yard fine. The only other hright spots for Milton were some fine retumns by Shawn MacFarlane and a couple nice H V E gains by Dave Van Aistyne. Marauders right now is that *incredibly enough they remaîn in the hunt for a post-season berth. Fîght of the NFC's 10 teams make t he playoffs, and three of the teams- încludîng Milton - are wînless. The Toronto Maddogs and Quinte- Li mestoc Panthers are also looking f'or their firsi vic tory; w îth 00e of them iset 10 fînd in this week- cnd when thcv clash. T he Marauders host Sarnia tomorrow, then tîrîscl [o 'iaoltSte. Maric hcforc ftnishîng off the regular scason at Quinte. Sarnia is a mtxch improvcd team, wiih a record of 3-2, after going 0-8 as an expansion club last scason, although they dîd get walloped 78-7 last wcekend by the Soo. In ail likelihood, Milton wîll need to Mvn txvo of' its lasi three games to make the playoffs. "We've goî to get a win and he compeitive before we start worrying about the playoffs," said head coach Ken Lashley, although hes hopeful in the upcuming game agaînst Sarnia. "They're (Sarnia) a rutining team, so theyre playing to our sîrength. We've got the best mun defence in the league" Tomorrow's game starts at 3 p.m. ln this game there are no opponents. OnIy friends. n a non-competitive environment kids can truly enjoy learning how to play soccer. After aIl, when you dont keep score, everybody wins. Thats why your local Tim Hortons is proud to support the Milton Youth- Soccer Club and the many kids that play Timbita Soccer. The firstgg" is havrng fun.. the more you get! The Canadian 0 How-To People RONA Gift Card for every $100 purchase (before taxes). Né" elcliTs'%-,-7 q"q 6 JER ;