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30 Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2007 Tigers edge Loyola in junior soccer final Rout of Nelson By Matt Civak SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER MILTON -- The T.A. Blakelock Tigers were able to overcome an early deficit and defeat the Loyola Hawks 32 in extra time Thursday, winning the Halton high school junior boys' soccer championship. Loyola dominated the first half and it looked like Blakelock was in for a long afternoon. However, in the second half, the game became more physical and Blakelock started to get some chances, getting goals from Kyle Joyce and Steve Hay to make the score 2-2 at the end of regulation. "I thought my guys played with incredible verve, spirit and character," Tigers coach Derek Petz said. "We were down most of the game and came back to win it in overtime. It doesn't get better than that." After a couple chances early in the extra time by Loyola, the Tigers' Scott Redshaw was able to capitalize on a corner kick. "Steve Hay took the corner and crossed it over," Redshaw said of his winning goal. "Kyle Joyce did a nice fake to me and I was just lucky enough to put it in." The goal marked a remarkable comeback as the Tigers were outplayed for most of the game. Unfortunately for the Hawks, they were unable to hold on for the win. "It was a great final," Hawks coach Chris Pauletto said. "Both teams went back and forth and played hard. Once you get into overtime, anything can happen and that's what did." Pauletto believes that fatigue may have been a factor in his team's second half letdown, but wouldn't use it as an excuse. "I think our guys were a little tired," Pauletto said. "That's the course of the game when you play a good team, that's the way the ball goes, back and forth. You just have to capitalize on your chances and I don't think we capitalized today on our chances." Richard Kennedy and Rodrigo Alvarino scored in a losing cause for Loyola. The Tigers finished the year in second place with a record of 7-1. But at the beginning of the year, Petz wasn't sure caps dominant softball season for Blakelock Tigers outscored opponents 115-4 By Matt Chisamore SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER BARRIE ERSKINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER GOING UP: T.A. Blakelock keeper Austin Lerke (right) knocks away a Loyola shot while Tigers teammate Chris Smith (left) and the Hawks' Matt De Souza look on during the Halton high school junior boys' soccer final Thursday in Milton. his team was of championship caliber. before going on a surprising run in the "When we were practicing before playoffs, including upsetting previousthe season, I thought we were good, ly undefeated Notre Dame in the semibut I didn't think we had it perfect," finals. Pauletto sees a bright future for Petz said. "Then when we played our his team and hopes to be back in the first game, we came together and won final again next year. 7-0. So pretty much after the first "We start five or six grade nines out game I knew we were competitive." there and they really stepped up their The Hawks finished the regular sea- game," he said. "There's really a bright son in fourth place with a 4-3-1 record future for these guys." MILTON -- When the final out had been recorded and the T.A. Blakelock Tigers gathered on the infield to celebrate the first girls' softball Halton championship in school history, there was an undeniable sense of nonchalance radiating from the huddle. It wasn't arrogance, to be sure. It was something more along the lines of closure for a team that had made a habit out of sheer dominance over the course of the season. The Tigers had their eyes on the championship all year long and every resounding victory was merely a stop along the way. The journey having been completed, the time for reflection "In the years I've having arrived, one thing was been coaching, clear: for the Blakelock Tigers, it I've never had was business as usual. that much talent The Tigers capped off a remarkon the field at one able year Thursday in Milton, pounding the Nelson Lords 17-0 in time. There were the mercy-shortened Halton final. no weaknesses." Blakelock finished Halton play with a 9-0 overall record, outscor- Blakelock coach Ron LaRose ing its opposition 115-4. "In the years I've been coaching, I've never had that much talent on the field at one time," said Tigers coach Ron LaRose. "There were no weaknesses." LaRose had actually been a little concerned before the game, cautioning his players not to underestimate the Lords -- a team Blakelock had crushed 13-0 during the regular season. Nelson had upset the previously undefeated Holy Trinity Titans in the semifinal. "I told the girls that we couldn't take this team lightly and that we had to play our best ball," he said. "We had to be ready to go from the first pitch." The Tigers were, putting three runs on the board in the first inning. Blakelock's offence was unrelenting, as it littered the Nelson outfield with 22 hits. By the fourth inning, the lead had swelled to 10-0 and, for good measure, Blakelock tallied seven more runs in the top of the fifth, ending the game prematurely via the mercy rule. Although the hits came from up and down the lineup, it was leadoff hitter Narissa Carter-Kendren who paced the Tigers offence with a four-hit, four-run performance. See Core page 31 Metroland Coming June 2007 Request a free copy email: info@live-it.ca editorial highlights: · Are you fit for golf? Tips to get in shape for the game · Get growing organically this summer · Ban the tan: health experts advise · What's all the fuss about trans fats? · Plus summer salsa and berry healthy delights Live It! Canada's Health and Wellness Magazine Free Retro Cap with a Jays Gift Card Purchase For a complete listing of retailers visit bluejays.com/giftcards · www.live-it.ca Complete offer details at bluejays.com/giftcards. Offer expires June 30, 2007. While quantities last. TMTrademark of Rogers Blue Jays Baseball Partnership ©2007