In case you were too busy moshing, rocking, or slowly nodding your head at POP Montreal, here’s what you missed this past weekend in the world of sports …

BASEBALL — With just about a week remaining in the regular season, things are heating up. The National League is fairly well-decided with Washington (keeping it together without Strasburg … gasp), Cincinnati, and San Francisco holding the divisional crowns, while Atlanta and St. Louis are looking good for the two wild card spots. In the AL, the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles are in a tight division battle, as each team is vying to top the mighty AL East, with the Yanks currently holding a one game advantage. Regardless of who takes it, both will likely make the postseason courtesy of the top wild card spot. In the AL Central, Chicago and Detroit are battling for first, engaged in a tight half-game race with the White Sox currently holding the advantage.

For those who have given up on this MLB season (notably Blue Jays and Red Sox fans), this week has provided a bit of a respite, with qualifiers taking place for the 2013 World Baseball Classic. With a win against Great Britian and two against Germany, Canada qualified for their third Classic. The story of the week, however, was the Israeli team that came up just short in a five-hour, extra-inning thriller in the final game against Spain. Two more qualifying pools will play in November to round out the field for the third installment of the WBC in March.

SOCCER — In the sport that everyone loves outside of North America, Chelsea currently tops the table with 13 points over five matches, holding a slight advantage over Manchester United’s 12 points in as many matches. Last year’s champions, Manchester City, are struggling to get going, but have thus far averted disaster, holding nine points—good for a share of fifth place. Rather hilariously, once-powerful Liverpool is sifting in the cellar with an abysmal two points. When asked about its slow start to the season, Liverpool admitted to being quite distracted by Wayne Rooney’s now fully grown hair plugs and have therefore found it difficult to focus on the pitch.

FORMULA 1 — In another sport popular across the pond, a revitalized Sebastian Vettel claimed his second race of the year last Sunday, winning the Grand Prix Singapore. The victory placed him second overall for the World Championship with 165 points. Spanish Ferrari racer, Fernando Alonso, still sits atop with 194 points. The boys will push the pedal to the medal again on Oct.7 in the Land of the Rising Sun for Grand Prix Japan.

On Thursday evening, the McGill Redmen soccer team hosted the Montreal Carabins in the annual “Pack the Pitch” game. The Redmen were looking for a win that would send them to the top of the RSEQ standings, but unfortunately, it was not meant to be. Montrealwas better throughout and defeated the Redmen 2-0. With the loss, McGill dropped to a disappointing 1-2-2 start on the year, and stretched its losing streak to four games.

Both teams came out with energy, seeking a quick goal to put pressure on the other. Each team aggressively lobbed balls over the top in an attempt to hit the runner behind the defence. However, this high-risk, high-reward style of play caused problems with positioning, as neither team was able to find a rhythm. The players were clearly frustrated, and this all came to a head in the 20th minute, when McGill’s James Allester toppled a Montreal player in a tussle for a 50-50 ball. Despite the physical move, no card was levelled against Allester, and this ferocity set the pace for the remainder of the match.

In the 34th minute, Montreal appeared poised to score, unleashing a targeted volley from inside the 18-yard box. McGill keeper Max Leblond made an excellent save, and soon after, the Redmen were on the counter. They had a near chance on goal, although they were unable to convert. Roused by this save and the ensuing chance, McGill picked up its offensive attack, and had another chance on goal in the 38th minute, when Jeremy Hurdle received a pass at the top of the 18-yard box. He faked a touch on the ball and let it run by his body, opening him up into the box where he unleashed a great strike; unfortunately, the shot was blocked by the Montreal goalkeeper. Despite the action at the goalmouths, neither side could break through completely, and the match remained scoreless at the half.

Following the intermission, Montreal came out hard, and ambitiously tried chipping Leblond from 49 yards out, only four minutes after the half. Although Leblond was beaten, the crossbar was not; the attempt ricocheted harmlessly away from the action. Finally, in the 67th minute, the Carabins scored the opening goal after receiving a free kick in a promising position. The ensuing low-slung cross took a deflection and was converted, making the score 1-0. As the game edged closer towards the finish, McGill made a change to their formation and began employing a more attack-oriented style, leaving only three men behind to defend.

This strategy proved ineffective. In the 89th minute, the Carabins attempted another chip from just inside half, as the unsuspecting McGill goalkeeper was caught off his line. Montreal buried the final tally, and the game ended 2-0 with the crestfallen Redmen looking blue.

The Redmen look to get back on track and end their losing streak on Sept. 28, when they take on Sherbrooke at Molson Stadium.

Love Competition Hall was busier than ever on Saturday afternoon, as big music stars squared off against members of the McGill and Concordia basketball teams in the second annual POP vs. Jock charity game. All proceeds from the game went towards DJ Sports Club, a non-profit charity organization that promotes and offers sports programs and recreational activities for youth between seven and 17. The Founder and Executive Director of DJ Sports Club, Dexter John, played as a member of team POP.

The game itself was quite the spectacle. Fans were given cutout faces of either Michael Jackson or Michael Jordan, depending on whether their allegiance lay with team POP or team Jock. The atmosphere was electric, and the participants seemed to enjoy the encouragement. Régine Chassagne of Arcade Fire and Kid Koala provided music and beats during the game. Both performers were dressed in exuberant animal suits—Chassagne in a bear suit and Mr. Koala in—you guessed it—a koala suit.

In addition to Dexter John, team POP included the Butler brother duo—Win and Will from Arcade Fire—Martin Starr of Freaks and Geeks and Party Down, Nikolai Fraiture of The Strokes, and professional basketball player Luke Bonner, among others. The Jock team was composed of both the men’s and women’s basketball teams from McGill and Concordia. Second-year Martlet guard Dianna Ros started the game for the Jocks.

Surprinsingly, Team POP handled the Jocks in the first half, with Win Butler and Luke Bonner carrying the way. The first half ended with team POP down only 46-43.

The halftime show opened with a fan giveaway that was shortly interrupted by an impromptu yet intense roller derby game. Afterwards, former Talking Heads lead singer David Byrne led Fraiture and the Butlers in a small set, which included a particularly inspiring rendition of the ever classic “That’s the Way (I Like It).” Once Byrne was finished, children dressed in their own animal suits joined Chassagne and Kid Koala on the court, dancing to Koala’s childish theme song, “Open Close.”

Following the break, the intensity of the game increased. Team POP maintained a lead until midway through the fourth quarter when members of the Concordia team started increasing the tempo. Nevertheless, team POP held their own and with just 20 seconds remaining, had narrowed the Jock’s lead to three points. Then, controversy ensued—Ryan Leier, of team POP, hit a three-pointer to tie the game with only seven seconds left, but the referee blew the whistle just before he released the ball. The officials initially ruled no basket much to the dismay of team POP and the fans.

Win Butler took the microphone and asked the crowd whether the basket should have counted—and shockingly, the fans said it should. Accordingly, the referees counted the points, and at 93-93, team Jock had the ball with seven seconds remaining. They ran a pick-and-roll leading to the game-winning three ball and prevailed 96-93.

For McGill athletics—specifically the basketball teams—this event not only promoted an important cause, but also granted the teams great exposure according to McGill Martlets’ Head Coach Ryan Thorne.

“I think anytime you get to showcase our sport, it’s a great opportunity,” he said. “I’ve known Dexter John for a very long time and what he’s doing is for a good cause. The DJ Sports program helps promote basketball in Montreal, and also has different programs to help kids stay off the streets. It means a lot to have something like that housed in our building.”

With the loss, game organizers Dexter John and Win Butler are now 1-1 in these charity games, leaving little doubt that this rivalry has just begun. After the medals were given out to each of the teams, Butler thanked the fans for the support and announced that they will be back for the third annual POP vs. Jock game in 2013.

“It all starts in the back” was the motto hammered into the McGill Martlets before their important match against the No.1-ranked Montreal Carabins. If the final result were any indication, the Martlets must have fully embraced this philosophy. McGill decisively shut down the mighty Carabins 2-1 last Thursday evening at the annual “Pack the Pitch” game.

Although Montreal appeared to be in control of the ball for the first ten minutes of the match, this was in large part due to McGill’s defensive strategy.

“Today, we were defending with low pressure, meaning we gave them a lot of time in the back,” McGill forward Daphnee Morency-Roussin explained. “I think that maybe they weren’t really used to that … and that was a good technique.”

What Morency-Roussin implied was that Montreal’s defense could pass freely between themselves, but when the Carabins attempted to make a move forward, McGill would meet it with a steadfast defence. As a result, the Carabins had to move the ball back to their defence time and time again.

Once their defence was established, the Martlets went on the offensive, using the quickness and agility of their forwards advantageously. Their efforts were rewarded when, in the 14th minute, McGill lobbed a ball deep into opposing territory and Montreal goalkeeper Martine Julien tried to make an aggressive play by grabbing the ball while still airborne. She fumbled it, leaving the goal mouth empty, and Morency-Roussin calmly sent it in, giving the Martlets a 1-0 edge.

Following their initial success, the Martlets continued to work as a unit as the first half progressed.  This all started with confident goalkeeping by McGill’s Victoria Muccilli who, unlike her Carabins counterpart, made her presence known by punching crosses out of the box. Additionally, the Martlet defenders also played a smart game, supporting Muccilli brilliantly by clearing anything that came into harm’s way.

The difference in the contest however, can be credited to the midfield, as Montreal had no answer to the Martlets and consistently allowed through balls past its backline. Midfielder Hannah Rivkin played an especially astounding game, as she assumed a key role in setting up many scoring chances throughout. After the game, Rivkin offered her take on creating offensive opportunities.

“It usually builds up. It starts with a good solid pass to my feet from someone in the back and then it ends with someone making a beautiful run”.

Unfortunately, this complete style of play was lost early in the second half, and McGill allowed Montreal to break even in the 55th minute.

“The problem was [that] we panicked and sent the ball in the air,” Head Coach Marc Mounicot said. “For two to three minutes we were panicking and [Montreal] finished because they are a good team.”

Neverthless, the Martlets were quick to respond and were able to regain their advantage. They scored their second goal just eight minutes later, in the 63rd minute, as Rebecca Green passed to Julia Conzon who then powered it home. Coach Mounicot gave his thoughts on the goal.

“It was a trademark of the way we play and the way we can play which is passing the ball, a combination play, and a nice finish”.

Throughout the game, Montreal became more aggressive. Three yellow cards were given to the Carabins as they took their frustration out on McGill. Morency-Roussin discussed the increased physical aspect of the game.

“I think we kept our composure pretty well … that’s the key in those types of games, because if you lose your composure, it becomes a blood battle, and it’s not even soccer anymore.”

The Martlets followed up their statement win with another victory against Bishop’s, 8-0. They return to the pitch on Sept. 28 to take on Sherbrooke.