There’s silver on them thar islands

The men’s soccer team captured their second Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) silver medal in team history last Sunday in Prince Edward Island. They dropped a close 2-1 decision to the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds in the championship match.

UBC scored the only goal in the first half. Michael Elliot scored in minute 35 in a half that was dominated by the Thunderbirds.

The second half saw U of T play a much stronger game. Kim Saka tied the game in minute 57, deflecting a cross from teammate Josh Gordon into the UBC net.

The referee became a factor as time ran out in the second half. He gave Thunderbird Niko Marcina a penalty kick in minute 84, after the official claimed Saka attempted to use his hands to block a shot headed towards the Toronto goal.

Marcina scored and after the penalty kick the Blues put in a valiant effort, but never managed to tie the game.

The Blues were shorthanded for the championship match, as Evan Milward did not play and Mike Bialy only played a few minutes at the end of the game. Bialy was limping the whole time he was on the field.

Congratulations to the Blues for finding silver twice in the span of a week. Read The Varsity on Thursday for further coverage of the team and for an interview with standout goalkeeper Luciano Lombardi.

-MATT SOMERS

Run, run, as fast as you can

The gingerbread man ain’t got nothing on the women’s cross-country team. There is no way he could keep up with the ladies that helped U of T earn a silver medal at the CIS cross-country championship.

Leading the way for the Blues was fifth-year runner Beth Wightman, who scored a gold medal for herself. She finished the 5km course in just under 17 minutes, Dalhousie’s Janice Ashworth finished just behind her in second place, and Guelph’s Laura Moulten claimed bronze.

The second-place team finish was the best for the Blues since they won gold in 2002. Guelph was the top school at the competition and Victoria was third.

The men’s team finished ninth overall in an exceptionally strong field. Windsor won their third team gold in a row, while Guelph and Victoria placed second and third, respectively.

Christiano Mauricio won his second straight men’s title in a time of 30:16. The top Blue was Joe Campanelli, who finished in 24th position.

Tune into the sports section in the weeks to come for more on U of T’s cross country teams.

-MS

They aren’t superwomen, after all

The women’s volleyball team had to lose eventually. They started the year at a torrid pace, going 6-0, but were brought back down to earth by Western on Saturday.

Western beat the Blues 3-1 in London, handing the team its first loss of the campaign. The Mustangs-last year’s OUA champions-are now 5-0 on the season.

Western’s Melissa Mann was the best player on the court on this day, scoring 18 kills in the triumph. Melinda Lee had ten kills to lead the Blues.

The men’s team, meanwhile, was able to beat Western on Saturday for their second win of the campaign. The Blues dropped the first two sets to the Mustangs before winning the final three frames.

-MS