Sports 24 SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011 fIntermediate AA Hornets enjoying view rom the top By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR As the general manager of one of the youngest teams in the Provincial Womens Hockey League, Jeffrey Grigg is realistic about the Oakville intermediate AA Hornets chances this season. But, for now, hes enjoying the view from the top. Oakville currently sits first in the PWHL standings after winning its first two games of the season last weekend at Joshuas Creek Arenas. The Hornets defeated the Nepean Wildcats 2-1 in their opener Friday night, then defeated the Cambridge Fury 3-1 Saturday afternoon. Its nice to be there, Grigg said of being in first place. The challenge is stay- ing up in the top end. Grigg was quick to admit that Nepean and Cambridge didnt exactly tear up the league last season. Nepean was 6-28-1-1 in 2010-11, while Cambridge went 10-18- 7-2. But the Hornets were just 9-19-3-5 themselves a year ago and returned only two players captain Melani Moylan and goaltender Laura Corcoran this season. No, (Nepean and Cambridge) werent top-10 teams last year, but still for us to get two wins like this is a great start, Grigg said. Its a big confidence booster for the girls and it helps you start setting bars for yourself. Moylan played a key role in Oakvilles hot start, factoring in on each of the Hornets five goals over the weekend. She scored a goal and added an assist versus Nepean, then had a goal and two helpers against Cambridge. We will need other girls to contribute, for sure, Grigg said. But as the team leader and the captain, (Melani) is also a scoring threat and will obviously be some- one were going to look to. Shanelle Doucette had the Hornets other marker Friday, with Victoria Bach and Heather Platt finding the net Saturday. Bach, one of the youngest players in the league at age 15, added two assists Saturday for a three-point afternoon. Camille Leonard carried a shutout into the final minute Friday for the Hornets. Corcoran was the winning goaltender Saturday. The Hornets will not have a chance to carry that momentum into their next league action until Oct. 15, when they will host the Ottawa Lady Senators at Joshuas Creek Arenas. Oakville will compete in the Nepean Showcase tournament this week- end, beginning with an 11:15 a.m. contest tomorrow (Friday) against Aurora. CLEARING THE CREASE: Oakville intermediate AA Hornets defenceman Nicole Vigilanti (in white, with puck) clears the puck from danger in front of Hornets netminder Camille Leonard while two Nepean Wildcats opponents look on Friday at Joshua's Creek Arenas. Oakville defeated Nepean 2-1, then downed the Cambridge Fury 3-1 the following day to move into first place in the Provincial Women's Hockey League standings after the opening week. STEVEN DER-GARABEDIAN / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER