Gameday in 5
A recap of the week that was (Sept. 13-19) — and a look to the week ahead — for London’s teams and athletes.
The Majors swept the Brantford Red Sox to move on to the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) Finals, winning the first game of the best-of-five semi, 9-5, and the second 6-0. In Game 2, London’s Owen Boon was stellar on the mound, pitching a complete game shutout with a career-high 16 strikeouts to clinch a spot in the final for the Majors, who haven’t won it all since 1975.
Up next:
The Majors will play the Toronto Maple Leafs in the best-of-five IBL Final.
Game 1: Fri. Sept. 24 (7:35pm at home)
Game 2: Sun. Sept. 26 (2:00pm on road)
Game 3: Tue. Sept. 28 (7:35pm at home)
Game 4: TBD (on road) (if necessary)
Game 5: Fri. Oct. 1 (7:35pm at home)
Men
The team’s five-game win streak came to an end last week, as the men were shut out by the Oakville Blue Devils, 1-0, Friday night at the Hellenic Community Centre. The FC London men (5-2-0) are currently third in the league’s West Division behind Guelph United (6-0-0) and the Blue Devils (5-1-1).
Up next:
The team will look to get back in the win column this Friday night when they play host to first-place Guelph in a rematch of their season opener.
Fri. Sept. 24 (8:30pm vs Guelph United)
Women
The women remained undefeated (6-0-1) after forcing a 2-2 draw against the Woodbridge Strikers on the road Sunday. Jade Kovacevic and Julia Benati scored the goals for FC London (Kovacevic now has a league-leading 14 goals in seven games). The team remains in first place in the league with 19 points.
Up next:
The team will look for their seventh win of the season this Saturday when they play host to Hamilton United (4-3-0) at the Hellenic Community Centre.
Sat. Sept. 25 (6:00pm vs. Hamilton United)
Up next:
After two weeks off from exhibition games, the Knights will continue their preseason this week, beginning with a game against the Barrie Colts Friday night at Budweiser Gardens.
Fri. Sept. 24 (7:30pm vs Barrie Colts)
Tue. Sept. 28 (7:00pm @ Hamilton Bulldogs)
Thur. Sept. 30 (7:30pm @ Barrie Colts)
Fri. Oct. 1 (7:30pm vs Hamilton Bulldogs)
The Nationals played one game last week, losing to the Strathroy Rockets, 3-0. Rockets goaltender Gordie O’Dwyer stopped all 44 shots he faced to lead his team to the win. The Rockets’ Jacob Couchie scored late in the second to put the rockets ahead 1-0. Mark Hewitt and Brandon Balazs then added late goals to put the game out of reach.
Up next:
The Nationals will host the Pelham Panthers at the Western Fair District on Wednesday for their final game of the preseason before opening the regular campaign on Friday against the St. Thomas Stars.
Wed. Sept. 22 (7:00pm vs Pelham Panthers)
Fri. Sept. 24 (7:30pm @ St. Thomas Stars) (first regular season game)
The Mustangs men’s football team started their season strong with a 41-13 victory over the McMaster Marauders Saturday afternoon (in a rematch of the 2019 Yates Cup, the last game played by the Mustangs prior to Saturday). Running back Keon Edwards (174 rushing) led the team offensively with three touchdowns. Griffin Campbell and Brett Ellerman both caught touchdown passes in the win.
Up next:
Sat. Sept. 25 (6:00pm @ Guelph Gryphons)
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 …