Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2006 37 Rookie leads Red Devils to junior field hockey crown Late rally lifts OT over Assumption in Halton final By Herb Garbutt OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The Oakville Trafalgar Red Devils have a long tradition in field hockey, but it was a player who took up the game a mere two months ago that added the latest chapter to the story. Sierra Pearson scored twice in the final six minutes as OT rallied from a 2-1 deficit to edge the Assumption Crusaders 3-2 in Wednesday's Halton high school junior girls' field hockey final. "A bunch of my friends said `Just try out,' and I made the team," the Grade 9 student said, sounding a little surprised. It's doubtful she'll have to worry about making the team next year when OT goes for its third straight junior championship. "It's awesome to get back on that trophy again and hopefully we'll start another streak right up the side," said OT coach Meghan Coe, looking at a blank spot on the championship prize. The Red Devils might have been excused if they felt like they already won the title last week when they beat Notre Dame 3-2 in the semifinal. The two schools have combined "(The Red Devils) to win the last eight fought back like Halton championships, champions." including four in a row by Notre Dame before OT Assumption ended that run last year. Crusaders assistant Meanwhile, coach Alfonso Assumption had finished Mannella the season fourth in the Richardson Division with a 3-3-1 record. But the Crusaders were not to be taken lightly. Assumption had knocked off the firstplace teams in both divisions, Nelson (6-1) in the quarter-finals and Holy Trinity (4-0-3) in the semis, and was looking to upset another powerhouse in OT. The Red Devils would have finished first in the Volpe Division based on their play on the field. They were undefeated, but lost a couple of victories for inadvertently using an ineligible player (a transfer student from Appleby College played the first two games of the season, while rules stipulate students transferring schools must sit out one year). "We knew Assumption had come a long way," Coe said. Strome provided early lead OT got an early goal from Stephanie Strome and controlled the play in the opening half, yet managed only the one goal on Assumption netminder Meagan Leahy. Assumption exerted a little more pressure in the second half and was rewarded with Jodi Hewins' goal. The Devils had numerous chances, but had a pair of goals called back and failed to GRAHAM PAINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER ALL-OUT EFFORT: Oakville Trafalgar's Sierra Pearson (6) dives at a loose ball in front of Assumption Crusaders goaltender Meagan Leahy during Wednesday's junior girls' field hockey Halton final in Milton. Pearson scored on the play, tying the game 2-2, and scored the winner minutes later in the Red Devils' 3-2 triumph. capitalize on their other opportunities. "You could tell (Assumption) really wanted it," said Strome. With about 10 minutes to play, Hewins onetimed a long pass from teammate Lauren Iantomasi to give the Crusaders a 2-1 advantage. "It was a pretty intense game," Coe said. "We needed what they brought to get us back in the game." Pearson added, "That was really scary but we had faith. We were a little worried but we kept going strong." The goal shocked the Devils and they went full-tilt after the equalizer. After a series of four corners in a two-minute span, OT finally cashed one in when Pearson, almost lying on the ground as she chopped at the ball, managed to get one past Leahy. With about three minutes to play, Pearson netted the winner, scoring just inside the left post from a scramble in front. "They fought back like champions," said Assumption assistant coach Alfonso Mannella. Senior Red Devils at OFSAA OT's senior girls' field hockey team, meanwhile, opened the provincial championships in Scarborough yesterday with a pair of wins. Lauren Black and Candice Hawksworth scored for the Red Devils in their first game, a 2-0 win over Ajax J. Clarke Richardson. OT then downed Waterloo Bluevale Collegiate Institute 3-1, with Jenna Bull, Fiona Clark and Elizabeth Philp finding the net. Michelle Westphal replied for Bluevale. The Red Devils concluded the roundrobin this morning with a game against Nepean John McRae. Gold- and bronze-medal games are scheduled for Saturday afternoon. 2007 Oakville Minor Baseball Registration A complete Baseball Program for all Boys & Girls Born 1982 - 2002 We offer 3 Levels of Competition: House League and Select Program: Complete uniforms T-Ball through Junior Season Starts May - Championship weekend August Special Development Clinics to improve player's skills Individual & Team Photos Family Discounts (for 3 or more members) Coaching & Umpire Clinics taught by qualified instructors OBA Certified Umpires at all divisions Rep and Tier II Rep: Teams representing the Town of Oakville playing in the Central Ontario Provincial and possible International Tournaments. Baseball Association League. Don't Miss The Ball...REGISTER NOW!!! WHERE: Frozen Ropes Baseball Training Centre 2009 unit B, Wyecroft Rd. (1 block south of QEW at Third Line) (www.frozenropescanada.ca) WHEN: Saturday, November 4, 9:00-4:00 pm Saturday, November 25, 9:00-4:00 pm AGES: 5 TO 25, children must reach 5th birthday during the 2007 calendar year. New registrations require a Birth Certificate. RATES T-Ball ages 5- 7 RookieBall - Midget ages 8-17 Junior ages 18-25 $FEES (until Feb. 28/07) (after Mar. 1/07) (includes Town of Oakville user fee) $150.00 $135.00 $200.00 (includes Town of Oakville user fee) $225.00 $200.00 (includes Town of Oakville user fee) TBA Registration online available November 1 For more information please call 847-5545 or visit our website (www.oakvilleminorbaseball.com) email: omba@oakvilleminorbaseball.com Catch The Excitement Play O.M.B.A. Baseball in 2007! "Oakville's own for 43 years"