BASEBALL BATTLE HUMBER IN QUARTERFINALS
Game Info: George Brown vs Humber College
Date: Thursday, October 21st
Time: 6:30PM
Location: Kinsmen Stadium
Live: https://bit.ly/3nyUXJp
The men's baseball team is in uncharted territory on Thursday. It will mark the first playoff appearance at provincials for George Brown since the OCAA's inaugural men's baseball season in 2013. They have their hands full against the Humber Hawks (11-3).
Humber is riding a five-game winning streak and are looking to threepeat as OCAA Champions. Led by Dennis Dei Baning, OCAA Men's Baseball Player of the Year, the Hawks have one of the best lineups in the province. Six players on their roster posted a batting average over .400 during the regular season. Whoever gets the start for the Huskies will have their hands full.
The Huskies have gotten better as the season progressed. They have won two of their last four games but have been a couple of close contests throughout the season, including one against the Hawks. George Brown has been in four games, decided by one run and six games decided by three or fewer runs.
The winner of this game will play two more games over the weekend at the OCAA Championships at Durham College.
Players to Watch
#26 Michael Guardiero
The first-year pitcher's last two starts have been outstanding. The right-hander threw a combined 10 1/3 innings, while only surrendering three earned runs off 13 hits and six walks while striking out seven in two games last week that had significant playoff implications. So if he's the starter or comes in as a relief, Guardiero can do some damage.
#23 Aiden Colangelo
It seems Colangelo is in the middle of the offence's production every game, and his stats back it up. He ranked fifth OCAA in batting average (.439), fifth in hits (18), seventh in RBI (15), and fifth in doubles (five). The Huskies will need him to have another great game if they plan on upsetting the Hawks.
SOCCER HEADS TO FANSHAWE FOR QUARTER-FINALS
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Game Info: George Brown @ Fanshawe College |
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Game Info: George Brown vs Fanshawe College |
The women's soccer team is coming off a historic game as they defeated the Centennial Colts to claim the program's first crossover playoff win since it rejoined the OCAA in 2013. This happened in hostile territory and that trend continues this week when they travel to London, Ont., to battle the CCAA No. 11 Fanshawe Falcons (5-0-1).
The Falcons are one of the most balanced teams in the country, scoring 41 goals, while only allowing four. 17 of those goals have come off the foot of striker and OCAA goal leader Kayla McQueen. The Huskies defence did an excellent job in containing Colts striker Nailah Rowe last Saturday, but face an even tougher hurdle this week. The team will also be relying on goalkeeper Sydney Crowe to help stop the Falcons high-flying offence. She did a great job in her first game for the Huskies, making four saves in the crossover victory.
For the Huskies to come away with another upset, they need to play as a group, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Offensively, they fired a total of 17 shots towards the net against Centennial. They need to continue that trend in this quarterfinal match.
The men's soccer team will also be in London, Ont., to duel the CCAA No. 10 Fanshawe Falcons (5-0-1). The Huskies are coming off an impressive 5-0 crossover victory on the road against the St. Lawrence Surge, but the Falcons are a different beast. They have yet to lose a game and give up a single goal the entire season. It will be a massive challenge for the Huskies to put one past by Falcons goalkeeper Andrew Ager.
George Brown's defence will need to slow down Fanshawe's leading scorer Mike Sneddon, who has scored 30 career goals in 30 career matches. However, the Huskies are used to playing top competition as they faced Seneca and Humber twice during the regular season.
Offensively the Huskies will need to score by committee, and Tuesday's crossover playoff match was a perfect example of it as four different players found the back of the net.
Players to Watch
#8 Elisabeth Virelli (Women's Soccer)
The second-year forward scored the team's most important goal in the last eight years. In the Huskies first-round crossover match against the Centennial Colts, she found the back of the net in the 88th minute to break a 1-1 deadlock. She also recorded a team-high three shots on goal in the victory. For her efforts, she earned OCAA and CCAA Athlete of the Week honours.
#14 Christopher Badibengi (Men's Soccer)
The first-year forward has been one of the most consistent offensive threats for the Huskies this season. He has scored in three of the last four matches, including one in the 5-0 victory over the St. Lawrence Surge in the crossover playoff match. If the Huskies become the first team to score on the Falcons, don't be surprised if Badibengi is the one to do it.
