Fratmen fall just short vs. ’Canes
All season, the Windsor AKO Fratmen closed the gap on the Hamilton Hurricanes. Opening the season with over 30 new players, the defending OFC champion Fratmen lost by 39 points to the Hurricanes and then dropped an eight-point decision in Hamilton midway through the season.
On Sunday, with the OFC title on the line, the Fratmen closed the gap a little bit more, but not enough as the Hurricanes scored a 28-23 win at Tim Hortons Field. “We improved during the year and it showed against Hamilton and that’s what we were looking for,” said AKO head coach Mike LaChance, who dressed 21 rookies for Sunday’s final.
“Our kids played their hearts out and Hamilton’s a great team and a worthy opponent.” Sunday’s final ended with AKO at the Hamilton 12-yard line and LaChance thought there was time for one last play, but officials said the clock had expired. “Tough one,” LaChance said. “We had a chance and didn’t pull it out in the end. I’m proud of our team, but it’s tough it comes down to that.”
It marked the sixth time in eight years the teams have met in the final with AKO winning in 2017, 2014 and 2013, but Hamilton capped a perfect 10-0 season with Sunday’s win to advance to the Canadian Junior Football League semifinal. First-year Fratmen quarterback Colton Allen completed 29-of43 passes for 346 yards and one touchdown while rookie receiver Jared Hayes-Williams finished with 11 catches for 132 yards. Running back Branden McCraney had a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and also had six catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.
“The future is bright,” LaChance said.
“We only lose six starters.”
OUA CHAMPIONSHIP
The University of Windsor Lancers men’s cross-country team finished sixth in the team standings at the OUA cross-country championships, which were held in London on Saturday.
Andrew Nebel led the Lancers over the 10km course with a 21stplace finish in a time of 32 minutes, 38 seconds.
Windsor’s women’s team placed 10th in the standings with freshman Chloe Walker leading the way over the 8km course with a 36thplace finish in 31:56.
LANCERS BASKETBALL
The men’s and women’s basketball team each fell on the road in Hamilton to the McMaster Marauders in OUA play on Saturday. The men’s team (1-1) got 20 points from Anthony Zrvnar, 14 from Chris Poloniato and 10 from Damian Persaud in a 95-67 loss to McMaster (2-0).
Carly Steer topped the women’s team (1-1) with 14 points in a 7466 loss to McMaster. Kayah Clarke added 12 and Olivia Osamusali chipped in with 11 in the loss to McMaster (2-0).
LANCERS HOCKEY
The University of Windsor Lancers men’s hockey team let an early two-goal lead slip away in a 3-2 loss to the University of Ontario Institute of Technology Ridgebacks on Saturday at South Windsor Arena.
Alex Friesen and Ian Parker scored for the Lancers (4-3-0-0) in the opening 11 minutes of the game before the Ridgebacks (4-31-1) rallied.
FIORIDO HONOURED
University of Detroit Mercy senior defender Carly Fiorido was named to the Horizon League’s All-Academic Team.
A team captain, Fiorido, who is a Holy Names high school product, is carrying a 3.78 grade-point average in bio-chemistry and also leads the team with five goals, which includes three game-winners.
SPITFIRES FALL
The Windsor Spitfires dropped a 6-1 decision on the road Saturday to the Barrie Colts. Mathew MacDougall’s goal had the Spitfires even at 1-1 in the first period, but Barrie closed with the game’s final five goals. Rookie goalie Kari Piiroinen finished with 28 saves.