Redmen aim to take next step
The McGill Redmen intend to improve upon last year’s sensational season when they return to the field on Friday. Playing at the Old Four Tournament at Queen’s last week, the Redmen didn’t miss a beat as they captured top spot by a score of 2-1 against the hosts for the second time in three years. Freshman Sebastian Munro fired home a rocket at the 85th minute to seal the victory. The goal was Munro’s second game- winner in two games, the first one at the 25th minute of the game against Western.
Head Coach David Simon has an incredible core to work with, led by goalkeeper Jean-Lou Gosselin and dynamic midfielder Yohann Capolungo. Capolungo is the heart of the Redmen’s offensive machine. A two-time QSSF conference all-star, he possesses an uncanny ability to penetrate any defensive formation with his great speed and the ability to bury his chances. Gosselin, meanwhile, was very steady in goal last season. A more experienced defence should improve his play even further this year.
The Redmen are a little green at forward. Thankfully however, should freshmen Munro, Alex King, or junior Peter Valente fail to produce, Capolungo can jump-start the role. Being ranked second in the first CIS rankings of 2010 is no easy feat, and obstacles increase on the way to the top, but there are still good reasons to believe the Redmen might get there.
Martlets ready for new season
It didn’t take long for this young team to raise expectations. Last year, the Martlets had exactly one fourth-year player on their team, with the roster mostly composed of 19 first and second year players. Many had low expectations, hoping the team would mature and break out in two to three years time. But these youngplayers were anything but ordinary. Led by defensive stalwart Katherine Green of Richmond Hill, Ontario, McGill players held six out of 11 spots on the Quebec Student Sports Federation’s first team. As an eighth seed, the team made it all the way to the QSSF final before falling to theUniversité de Montreal.
The roster’s depth was evident in the team’s winning record. Coached by Marc Mounicot, the young Marlets team finished the regular season with a 10-3-1 record and placed second at Nationals. New recruits like midfielder Hannah Rivkin, who had experience at the national level last season, are impressing early.
So far, the team’s commitment has translated into a sweep at the Old Four Tournament and a subsequent 6-1-1 record in preseason play. This team has a chance to win it all. Hopefully, last year’s playoff experience will have taught them valuable lessons.
The soccer teams will be some of McGill’s best this fall. Their first matches are Friday against Sherbrooke at Molson Stadium
, with women at 6 p.m. and men at 8 p.m.
