The Canadian Chamnpion, Tuesday, JuIy 25, 2006 - Al13 SPORS SPORTS EDITOR: STEVE LeBLANC e-mail sIebIanc@haItonsearch.com New te co hit with Local softballer and Higgîns crew excel at the 'Pif By Steve LeBlanc CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF Neil Teague didn't nced long to decide to jump on board with a new team this season. And it didn't take long for that dcci- sion to pay huge dividends for the accompished local sofîbali player. The first recruit of the recently- established Higgins squad, 39-ycar-old Teague en.joyed his hest-ever tcamn fin- ish at the prestigious Yvon 'Pif' Depatic Invitationai eariier this month in Fieurimont, Quebec - piacing fourth at the iargest sofîbali tournament in North Amenica and the only'AA com- petition outside of the U.S. The fact that Higgins faced do-or-die pressure all weekend - having Iost its first game of the doubie-knockout event - made the top-four finish ail the more noteworthy. "We just refused to have our week- end end eariy" said Teague, whose new team strung together five musî-win vic- tories before finaily howing out lu internationally-ranked Check King- Worth of Massachusetts. Stili nursing an ankie injury the rural Miltonian didn't quite deliver his usual offensive punch at the Pif, which iast year earned him ahl-star status. But he had absoiuteiy no regrets about trad- ing individual accolades for team suc- cess this summer. "It was phenomenal how we came througb in the ciutch," said Teague, who piays a littie bit of every position, except for outfield. Among Higgins' wins in Quebec was an 11-9 decision over the powerhouse Toronto Orioles, who've ciaimed asee TEAGUE on page A14 GRAHAM PAINE / CANADIAN CHAMPION SEASONED SLUGGER: Accomplished local softballer Neil Teague is enjoyîng a thoroughly successful summer with his recently-established Higgins team. Defensive-minded Magic keep on winning Under-1 7 rep girls earn sixth shutout in league play by blanking Wellandl B 1 -O By Steve LeBlanc CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF have really gellcd as a îeam," said head coach short-staffed defence. Louie DiPalma, whose team has aiready won Minkhorst scored the evenings lone goal twice as many league games midway through the sec- The Under-17 Magic rep girls keep finding as they did through ail of "»7ond-half - booting her themselves in the win column despite contin- 2005.W penalty shot into the bot- ued problems finding the back of the net. Fresh off a solid tom ieft corner after Unabie to pull the trigger on neariy a dozen showing at the Lindsey Atkinson was quality scoring chances at Lions Sports Park Cambridge Henitage 4 «w i aken down on a huge rush Wednesday night, Milton needed a penalty Tournament, Milton -whîie she and Jillian shot deposit by midfieider Erika Minkhorst to didn't ailow the visiting Wizzards a single Posavad kept the pressure on Welland tumn back Welland B 1-0. shot on net Wednesdlay. That was no doubt with a handful of key scoring opportunities The win iifted the Magic to 8-1 and into a weicomed by impromptu goaikeeper Alicia each. lie for top spot in the South Region Soccer Hammond, who was fiiiing in for an injured The game also featured an impressive effort League's First Division with Kitchener B, who Caitiin O'Connor and only had to handie the on the wing by Vanessa Maienfant and a brief bas-a game in band. It marked Multons fourtb bail three times ail night. second-bal interruption by a wayward mouse 1-0 decision and sixth shutout victory in That was due in large part to some top- that found its way onto the field. league play this season. notcb play by Michelle Serafini, while usual The Magic wiil look to keep their winning "We don't have a natural striker, but our forward Caroline Shaw dropped back and ways going tomorrow night, when tbey take defence bas been very strong and the girls offered credibie assistance to a somewhat on Brams United B.