Gaiters women’s basketball weekend recap

Isabella Halliday, Sports Editor » thecampus.sports@gmail.com

Gaiters women’s basketball weekend recap Micah Della Foresta - Contributor

The Bishop’s women’s basketball team had another great weekend, bringing home two big wins. On Thursday, Nov. 17, the Gaiters played in our very own Mitchell Gym against the University of Laval. The team came out strong leading the scoreboard 48 to 38 against the Rouge et Or going into the second half. As the opposing players from Laval worked to close the gap on the Gaiters, the women’s team didn’t back down and pushed back even harder on the offensive and defensive end. With a few special shout out performances from Amaiquen Siciliano (21 points), Jael Kabunda (19 points), and Victoria Gauna (12 points), the Bishop’s team came out on top, winning 82-73 against Laval.

The men’s team followed up the strong performance by the women, taking care of business at home and improving the record to 2-0 thus far in the regular season. They also played a strong Laval team who has been performing well and looks like the team to beat in the RSEQ. Bishop’s set the tone early with aggressive play and urgency that led to a commanding 11-point lead going into the second half. An efficient third quarter from the Rouge et Or would see them coming within striking range, but the speed and persistence of the Gaiters would prove to be too much. Bishop’s took the game by a score of 95-85, with a strong performance by Obi Dike-Nwagbara, who scored his career high with 25 points, shooting 75 per cent from the field. Étienne Gagnon also showed his prowess by flirting with a double double, with 16 points and 9 rebounds.

Following their double victories at home, the Gaiters hit the road to Montreal to play UQAM just two days later. Facing a slow start in the first quarter and struggling to find their usual shot selection, the women’s team went into the second half up 36-35. Matching the Citadins’ physicality and adjusting their game plan, the Gaiters began to pull away from their opponents. Special shout out performances go out to Victoria Gauna (16 points), Deborah Aboagye (16 points) and Jael Kabunda (11 points and 15 rebounds), who led their team to a 67-55 victory over UQAM.

The men’s team came out strong with good offence and intensity on defence which would see them up by as much as 10 points in the first half. Scrappy and aggressive play by the Citadins would prove to be formidable as they came back and controlled the game for a considerable amount of time. A late push by the Gaiters saw them come within a chance of tying the game late in the fourth, but they were not able to capitalise on the opportunity, leaving them motivated and hungry to prove themselves again.

The Gaiters are looking forward to their next match at home against the Concordia Stingers, where the men are looking to improve to 3-2. The women are looking to stay undefeated and continue moving up in the national rankings, where they currently sit at second overall.

Photo Courtesy of Hannah McCarthy

Isabella Halliday, Sports Editor » thecampus.sports@gmail.com UNH Wildcats vs BU Men’s Hockey

Owen Kitzan - Contributor

Following a nearly three-year hiatus, your BU men’s hockey team finally had the opportunity to play a game at home on Nov. 17 against the University of New Hampshire Wildcats. The team came into the weekend looking to continue their strong start to the season, which saw them go 3-0 in their first weekend of games. They are currently ranked the eighth team in the CHF. Taking on the Wildcats, who were only three spots behind them, the team came prepared for a hard-fought battle with a desire to stay undefeated. As the game got underway, it quickly became clear that the UNH side was no match for BU, something visible on and off the scoreboard. Bishop’s dominated in all aspects of the game, showing their strength through big hits and well-timed plays that their opponents simply did not have the firepower to match. After the final whistle blew, BU came away victorious, posting an 8-2 win over UNH to move to 4-0 on the season and 9-0 all time in the CHF. Following the game in an interview for the CHF podcast, the captain of the UNH team took the time to call BU men’s hockey the best team in the league in his opinion. Standouts from the game include a four goal performance by star forward and Concordia U-Sports transfer Will Leclerc, boosting his stats to 19 points in the team’s first four games and a league-leading 4.75 points per game. Veteran goalie Callum Churchill-Baugh had his first win in the CHF, only letting in two goals in his season debut. Other notable standouts include performances from Jack McGowan, whose physical presence could be felt everywhere on the ice, as well as two rookies getting their first taste of action with BU men’s hockey, Leighton Geraghty and Kieran Pike. Following a large break between games played at home, it could be seen how much anticipation had built up in the community for the return of BU men’s hockey games. The atmosphere was incredible, with clear excitement amongst everyone in the rink, as well as amazing engagement from the crowd. The fans brought a dynamic and lively energy that had been sorely missed by players and students alike. BU men’s hockey will look to continue their early success in the CHF

in their next home game against Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Tune in for a physical and hard-fought game against them on Dec. 9 and 10 at the Jane & Eric Molson arena, with times to be announced at a later date. Photo Courtesy of Kyle MacFarland

November games for women’s hockey

Isabella Halliday - Sports Editor

Nov. 11 vs Carleton University

For their second home game of the season, the women’s hockey team hosted the Carleton University Ravens in front of an excited and supportive crowd. This was the second time these two teams played each other this season, with the Gaiters taking the win during the first match-up. With a scoreless first and second period and both goaltenders saving seventeen shots on both ends, Carleton managed to squeeze one by sophomore goalie Aglaé René de Cotret. The Gaiters picked up their momentum but were not getting any luck. It was looking like the Ravens were going to take home the win until #8 Maude Pépin scored with 1:23 left in the third period. The crowd was pumped to see the women hit the ice for some overtime action, but the Ravens were not going to back down without a fight. With 1:36 left, Gaiters’ freshman Justine Turcotte sealed the 2-1 win over Carleton.

Nov. 13 vs Concordia University Just two short days later, the Gaiters hosted the Stingers who, at the time, were the third ranked team in the division. Still proud of their win from Friday, the Gaiters were looking forward to being at home again. After a goal from Bishop’s Regan Garreau in the first period, the Stingers tied it up during the second. When Ann-Sophie Bedard found the back of the net with four minutes left in the third period, the crowd was positive they were going to seal another BU victory. Unfortunately, Concordia scored an impressive goal shortly after, leading the teams to an overtime period. Concordia ended up winning 3-2 after a hard-fought game from both teams.

Nov. 18 @ McGill University After a week of rest, the Gaiters drove the short distance to Montreal to play the Martlets for the second time this season. The first period had a lot of action with McGill leading 2-1 going into the break. The Gaiters came back, dominating the other team with seventeen shots on net and tying the score 2-2 in the third period, causing yet another overtime game. With no successful shots on net during the 4-on-4, it came down to a 3-on-3 overtime. That was when Ann-Sophie Bedard scored the game-winning goal, and the Gaiters happily headed back to Lennoxville to prepare for their next game.

Nov. 20 vs Université de Montréal The Carabins scored first to open up the game at the Jane & Eric Molson Arena on Sunday night. With a delayed penalty and an extra player on the ice for the Gaiters, they managed to tie the game 2-2. Sophomore Jamie Aspropotamitis had a phenomenal game, scoring both goals for the Gaiters, but the team sadly fell to the Carabins 3-2. The Gaiters are looking forward to their back-to-back matchup playing the two Ottawa teams the weekend of Nov. 26-27 and then continuing their season with two games the first week of December before heading into the Christmas break. Photo Courtesy Hannah McCarthy