Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawk Newsletter
“Building Champions, Building Traditions” Volume 6, Issue 1 Message from Dr. Bob Rosehart Golden Hawk Athletics has long been part of the proud heritage of Wilfrid Laurier U n i v e r s i t y. Whether you are participating as an athlete, a supporting student, alumnus or friend, your contribution to the success of our programs over the years has been much valued and appreciated. At Laurier, we believe that learning goes beyond the lecture hall and involvement in Golden Hawk athletics is a valuable leadership experience that serves our student athletes throughout their lifetime. A new spirit of enthusiasm and renewal in Golden Hawks athletics has evolved at Laurier and this could not have been done without your participation and support. We continue to invest in new fitness equipment, renewed physical facilities and have placed a considerable emphasis on the recruitment of exceptional coaches along with high quality student athletes with both outstanding academic and athletic credentials. The spirit of the Hawk logo stands proud and tall and 2005/2006 promises to be an exciting season. We look forward to your participation. Golden Hawk Club Mission Statement “A means of providing Alumni and Friends of Wilfrid Laurier University with an opportunity to help build the best interuniversity athletics program in Canada.”
Fall 2005
The Tradition of Excellence Continues
The Women's Hockey Team captured a second consecutive OUA gold and finished the season as national champions.
The Men's Football team dethroned longtime champion McMaster Marauders to capture the Yates Cup.
There is good reason for the excitement around the upcoming 2005-06 season. Three provincial championship teams and a national championship headline the lofty accomplishments by the Golden Hawk teams in 2004-05. With excitement and achievement come great expectations, and the expectations for the Golden Hawks could not be higher heading into the ‘05-‘06 season. It will not be easy to repeat last year’s success, but Laurier’s teams should be up for the challenge as their legacy as elite contenders awaits. The Women’s Hockey Team continued their storied winning tradition by steamrolling their way to a 17-2-2-1 regular season record. The Hawks would continue to ride the momentum into the OUA Playoffs as goaltender Cindy Eadie posted back-to-back shutouts opening against the Brock Badgers (3-0) and for the second consecutive season topping the Toronto Varsity Blues in the OUA Gold Medal Game (3-0). The Hawks would advance to the CIS Championships once again. Although they faced stiff competition the women would not be fazed, opening the tournament blanking the Manitoba Bisons 6-0. Eadie notched her third consecutive playoff shutout in addition to her record-setting 10 shutouts in the OUA regular season. The women would come away with a hard-fought win over the Concordia Stingers (3-2), as a short-handed goal by Amanda Joseph , a power-play goal from Samantha Cully, and some strong penalty-killing (Concordia was 1-8 on the power-play) would make all the difference. The road to the championship would not be easy as the Hawks would have to face some adversity in the tournament as Fiona Aiston would not be able to play in the championship game due to receiving a controversial body contact major in the win over Concordia. The ladies
would also have to face the Alberta Pandas who had a 110 game unbeaten streak heading into the Gold Medal Game. However, the Hawks would overcome the odds against them and bring home Laurier’s seventh national championship and its first for Women’s Hockey, with a 4-1 win. Eadie, Laurissa Kenworthy and Ashley Stephenson were named to the tournament all-star team, while Stephenson was also named tournament MVP. Eadie was acknowledged as Golden Hawk Female Athlete of the Year at the ‘04-‘05 awards. As it is even harder to repeat as champions, there is a great anticipation surrounding the 2005-06 women’s hockey team. If not for the outstanding performance by the Women’s Hockey team, the Laurier football program would surely be the story 2004. With a 3-0 record heading into the Homecoming game versus archrivals McMaster Marauders in what would prove to be a turning point in the season and perhaps the entire football program. Brian Devlin kicked the game-winning field goal with 24 seconds remaining, giving the Hawks a 34-33 upset victory over the Marauders. The Hawks would continue the regular season with a perfect 8-0 record. A 46-7 trouncing of the Ottawa Gee-Gees put the team in the Yates Cup for the second consecutive season, facing the ever familiar Marauders, as they sought to avenge 2003’s disheartening loss in the Yates final. 2004 would prove to have a different result as a staunch defensive effort solidified the victory in a 31-19 win. Stalwart receiver Andrew Baechler was named game MVP with three catches, 74 yards and a touchdown. The Hawks would advance to the Uteck Bowl to take on the Laval Rouge et Or, but were ultimately overmatched on their home field and subsequently defeated 30-11. Quarterback
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www.laurierathletics.com