Gameday in 5
A look to the week ahead — and a recap of the week that was (Oct. 17-23) — for London’s teams and athletes.
The Western Mustangs’ women’s softball team won silver at the 2022 Ontario University Softball Championship.
* * *
After picking up their first win of the season two Sundays ago, the Knights continued to find success last week, winning two of their three games — including both ends of a home-and-home series Friday and Saturday.
Things certainly didn’t get off to a good, though, with London losing big (7-2) to the Owen Sound Attack on the road Wednesday. Down 2-0 early, Landon Sim brought London to within a goal but the Attack responded shortly after with what turned out to be the game-winning goal. George Diaco scored the Knights’ second goal of the game on the power play, making it 4-2 at the time, but London then allowed the Attack to score three unanswered goals and cruise to the win.
The outcome of Friday’s game was a lot more what the Knights had in mind, as they beat the Saginaw Spirit, 4-3, at Budweiser Gardens. Despite finding themselves down 2-0 early, London rallied in the second period to even the score (Max McCue and Oliver Bonk) — and then take the lead (Luca Testa’s first OHL goal) late in the period. Sim put the Knights ahead 4-2 with what turned out to be the game winner 5:38 into the third period.
The Knights then swept the home-and-home series the following night with a 7-4 win in Saginaw. A big four-goal first period put London in control. George Diaco was in on the action early, scoring the team’s first two goals and picking up an assist on their third. Logan Mailloux and Denver Barkey scored the others. With the Knights up 4-1 in the second period, Alec Leonard scored what turned out to be the game winner. Brody Crane and Max McCue added goals of their own to round out London’s highest-scoring game of the season so far.
Up next:
The Knights (3-4-1-0) will look to build on their recent improved play with a trio of games this week, beginning Thursday in Niagara.
Thurs. Oct. 27 (7:00pm @ Niagara IceDogs)
Fri. Oct. 28 (7:00pm vs. North Bay Battalion)
Sat. Oct. 29 (7:00pm vs. Sudbury Wolves)
The Mustangs’ football team completed an undefeated regular season on Saturday with a 38-18 win over the Ottawa Gee Gees, securing a first-round playoff bye in the process. Top back Keon Edwards totaled 133 yards on 22 carries and picked up a touchdown. Edouard Wanadi, meanwhile, tallied 105 yards on 15 carries. Quarterback Evan Hillock completed four of five pass attempts before departing due to injury (he is expected to be fine for Western’s first playoff game Nov. 5). In his place, backup Jackson White went 10-of-15 for 196 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Savaughn Magnaye-Jones hauled in four catches for 88 yards and a touchdown, while Seth Roberts had three receptions for 52 yards and a score. Justin Nickson also caught three passes (for 53 yards). Ahead 20-11 at halftime, the Mustangs extended their lead by outscoring the Gee Gees 18-7 in the final two quarters.
Up next:
The Mustangs (8-0) will get a first-round playoff bye before hosting an OUA semi-final game at Western Alumni Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 5.
Nov. 5 (1:00pm vs. To be determined) (OUA Semi-final)
Women’s Softball
Western’s women’s softball team came oh-so-close to winning a remarkable 12th straight Ontario University Softball title (formerly OIWFA) last weekend, losing 3-2 to the Queen's Gaels in the finale in Waterloo to settle for the silver medal. The Mustangs went a perfect 18-0 during the regular season and won each of their first three games (vs. Ottawa, Toronto and Queen's) at the provincial championship before the Gaels pulled off the upset in the gold-medal game.
The Western women also finished second at this year's Canadian Collegiate Softball Association (CCSA) National Championships earlier in October, falling in the final to St. Clair College (who won the OCAA title last weekend in London, hosted by Fanshawe College). Overall? An impressive 25-2 record in 2022 for the Mustangs. Pitcher Aimee Leduc and MI/OF Blythe Hilpert were named OUS league all-stars. SS Abby Bush was named a Top Batter, with Leduc a Top Pitcher (Leduc and catcher Meg Hamilton were tournament all-stars at the CCSA championship).
The Nationals went a perfect 3-0 last week to improve their 2022-23 record to an impressive 12-1-0-1 on the season thus far. They opened the week with a 3-1 win over the Komoka Kings. Sam O’Reilly put London ahead in the first with his 10th goal of the year. After a scoreless second period, Komoka tied things at one early in the third. But the Nationals responded with two unanswered goals. Jacob Julien scored the game-winner, while Riley Wood notched an empty net goal to seal the win.
The Nationals then played one of their best games of the season on Friday, beating the St. Marys Lincolns, 7-1. London held a 1-0 lead at the start of the second period and then found themselves in a tie game just before the 3-minute mark of the frame. But it was all London from there, as they amassed six unanswered goals (four coming in the second period). Julien and Rylan Bowers scored twice each, while Julian Stubgen, Owen McGowan, and O’Reilly each added a goal.
Saturday’s game was a lot closer, with the Nationals beating the LaSalle Vipers, 4-2. Despite the closeness of the game, London never trailed. Julien played perhaps his best game of the year, scoring three of the team’s four goals for a hat trick. O’Reilly added an empty netter to secure the win.
Up next:
Wed. Oct. 26 (7:00pm vs. St. Thomas Stars)
Sun. Oct. 30 (7:00pm @ Chatham Maroons)
London Beefeaters
The Beefeaters’ season came to an end Saturday night in Windsor. Despite another strong season (7-3 overall), London lost 38-7 to the St. Clair Saints in the Ontario Football Conference (OFC) championship game at Acumen Stadium.
The Saints came out strong, scoring a touchdown on their first drive. Following a St. Clair turnover, though, the visiting Beefeaters notched a score of their own, as running back LJ Dyer ran in a touchdown to tie things early. A long pass and catch put the Saints back ahead, 14-7, shortly after, and though London held tough into the break, it was almost all St. Clair in the second half, with the home side racking up 24 unanswered points en route to becoming provincial champs.
There are some familiar faces, but there’s a sense of renewal in London as the Lightning embark on a new season. With a new coach and several new players, is a new era upon us? What to expect in 2024-25 …