Bisons first semester review

Football and fútbol teams highlight first semester Bison successes

Romer Bautista, Staff

Bison sports first semester for the 2007-08 year should be considered nothing less than a complete success and ranks right up there as one of the most successful semesters in Bison Sports history.

The most obvious reason would be the Bison football teams dream season, which concluded in a Vanier Cup victory — only the third in the school’s history. The Bison football team went undefeated during the regular season (8-0) and then proceeded to roll through the playoffs, posting lopsided victories against the University of Calgary Dinos, University of Regina Rams, University of Western Ontario Mustangs, and Saint Mary’s University Huskies.

Much of the success of the team can be credited to a stingy defence that allowed opponents to score more than 20 points just once over the course of the season. The defence was led by defensive end Justin Cooper, who was named the top lineman in the Canada West conference.

Not only did the football team have its most successful season to date, so too did the fútbol team, otherwise known as the soccer team. Although just in the third year of existence, the Bisons soccer team posted team records in wins (10), points (30), goals (28), and qualified for the conference playoffs for the first time in team history. The team won its first ever playoff game (a 3-2 shootout victory over the University of Alberta Pandas) and came within a goal of advancing to the conference finals and a berth in the CIS nationals.

The strength of the soccer team was in their offence, which was led by the play-making abilities of forwards Karli Colpitts and Desiree Scott. Colpitts finished second in the conference with 21 points, and Scott finished ninth in the conference with 15.

Also doing the Bisons proud this semester was cross-country runner Kristjan Hunter. Hunter’s season was, in a word, amazing. He finished the season with wins at the Ron Pynn Invitational, the Roy Griak Invitational, and the Manitoba Championships. He also finished second at the University of Saskatchewan Open.

But Hunter’s most memorable result came at the CIS championships, where he finished in second place. Hunter finished the 10-km race, held in Victoria, B.C., in a time of 31:41.36. It was the first time in school history that a Bison finished on the podium at the national championships.

For his season-long excellence, Hunter was named a Canada-West all-star, the Canada West cross-country male athlete of the year, and a first-team All-Canadian.

A look at the first terms of volleyball, hockey, basketball

Ajitpaul Mangat, Staff

Volleyball

Women (Ranked: #1; Record: 9-1; first in Canada West)

It has been a dominant opening half to the season for the Bisons women’s volleyball team. The team began the campaign with relatively easy sweeps against the Regina Rams and Winnipeg Wesmen. The following week brought stiffer competition in the form of the then-undefeated UBC Thunderbirds. The Bisons won the first of the two-game series, but suffered their first loss of the season in the second match. The loss proved to be a fluke rather than a trend, as the team has become stronger with every successive game thereafter.

Top players of the first half include Sarah Morrissette and Samantha Loewen who lead the team in kills, 86, and blocks, 33, respectively.

Men (Ranked: unranked; Record: 3-7; seventh in Canada West)

Things have not been as rosy for the Bisons men’s volleyball team, who had to make the transition to a new head coach. Out was 27-year-veteran Garth Pischke, and in was first-time head coach, Phil Hudson. A difficult start to the season put them behind the eight ball straight away. The team began with four straight losses coming at the hands of the Winnipeg Wesmen and the UBC Thunderbirds. However, since then the team has played better, amassing a 3-4 record, including a sweep over the Regina Rams.

Top players of the first half include John Galloway who has collected 111 kills, and Derek Tyler who has amassed twelve blocks, which both lead the team.

Hockey

Women (Ranked: #3; Record: 11-2-1; second in Canada West)

Consistency, and teamwork has been the name of the game for the Bisons women’s hockey team this season. The Bisons have scored more than 20 fewer goals than their Canada West rivals, the University of Alberta Pandas, but due to their overall strong play, particularly defensive, remain tied on points. The Bison’s teamwork is demonstrated by the fact that four members of the team have amassed double figures in points, led by Addie Miles’ 13 points.

If one member of the team has stood out it would be goaltender Stacey Corfield who’s goals-against-average (1.66), and wins (10) are among the best in the entire CIS.

Men (Ranked: unranked; Record: 9-6-1; third in Canada West)

Inconsistency has been the main nemesis of the Bisons men’s hockey team this season. After a promising two-game sweep of the Regina Rams, the team went 1-3 in their next four games, followed by three straight wins — including a sweep of the UBC Thunderbirds — which was followed with four straight losses, before ending the season with three straight wins — including a most recent sweep of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

The team’s top scorers have been Rick Wood, and Chris Falloon, who have each scored nine goals and potted 20 and 18 points respectively.

Basketball

Women (Ranked: unranked; Record: 4-6; tied for second in the Great Plains division)

The Bisons women’s basketball team has been a difficult group to figure out. Just when it seemed their season was heading south they beat the highly ranked Regina Rams this past weekend. Of course, they did lose the back end of the two-game series, but, if the team can build on the positives from that first game, the prospects for the second half of the season should be much brighter.

Tessa Klassen leads the team with 11.7 points per game, while Kait Flett leads the team in rebounding at 6.0 a game.

Men (Ranked: unranked; Record: 1-9; fourth in the Great Plains Divison)

When you have only won once in 10 games it is difficult to find a silver lining. But if there has been one this season for the Bisons it is their defence. In fact, their 762 points allowed is fifth best in the Canada West out of 14 teams and is about equal to the 10-ranked Calgary Dinos (759). Now if they could only do something about their offence (682 points scored), which is the worst in all of Canada West.

Top players of the first half include Isaac Ansah and Darcy Coss, who lead the team with 20.6 and 15.3 points per game respectively.





Volume 95 Issue 16	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	December 05, 2007

Home About Us Advertising Rates Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Volunteer Online Classifieds St. Vincent's Academy Diaries	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly Bisons first semester review Football and fútbol teams highlight first semester Bison successes Romer Bautista, Staff Bison sports first semester for the 2007-08 year should be considered nothing less than a complete success and ranks right up there as one of the most successful semesters in Bison Sports history. The most obvious reason would be the Bison football teams dream season, which concluded in a Vanier Cup victory — only the third in the school’s history. The Bison football team went undefeated during the regular season (8-0) and then proceeded to roll through the playoffs, posting lopsided victories against the University of Calgary Dinos, University of Regina Rams, University of Western Ontario Mustangs, and Saint Mary’s University Huskies. Much of the success of the team can be credited to a stingy defence that allowed opponents to score more than 20 points just once over the course of the season. The defence was led by defensive end Justin Cooper, who was named the top lineman in the Canada West conference. Not only did the football team have its most successful season to date, so too did the fútbol team, otherwise known as the soccer team. Although just in the third year of existence, the Bisons soccer team posted team records in wins (10), points (30), goals (28), and qualified for the conference playoffs for the first time in team history. The team won its first ever playoff game (a 3-2 shootout victory over the University of Alberta Pandas) and came within a goal of advancing to the conference finals and a berth in the CIS nationals. The strength of the soccer team was in their offence, which was led by the play-making abilities of forwards Karli Colpitts and Desiree Scott. Colpitts finished second in the conference with 21 points, and Scott finished ninth in the conference with 15. Also doing the Bisons proud this semester was cross-country runner Kristjan Hunter. Hunter’s season was, in a word, amazing. He finished the season with wins at the Ron Pynn Invitational, the Roy Griak Invitational, and the Manitoba Championships. He also finished second at the University of Saskatchewan Open. But Hunter’s most memorable result came at the CIS championships, where he finished in second place. Hunter finished the 10-km race, held in Victoria, B.C., in a time of 31:41.36. It was the first time in school history that a Bison finished on the podium at the national championships. For his season-long excellence, Hunter was named a Canada-West all-star, the Canada West cross-country male athlete of the year, and a first-team All-Canadian. A look at the first terms of volleyball, hockey, basketball Ajitpaul Mangat, Staff Volleyball Women (Ranked: #1; Record: 9-1; first in Canada West) It has been a dominant opening half to the season for the Bisons women’s volleyball team. The team began the campaign with relatively easy sweeps against the Regina Rams and Winnipeg Wesmen. The following week brought stiffer competition in the form of the then-undefeated UBC Thunderbirds. The Bisons won the first of the two-game series, but suffered their first loss of the season in the second match. The loss proved to be a fluke rather than a trend, as the team has become stronger with every successive game thereafter. Top players of the first half include Sarah Morrissette and Samantha Loewen who lead the team in kills, 86, and blocks, 33, respectively. Men (Ranked: unranked; Record: 3-7; seventh in Canada West) Things have not been as rosy for the Bisons men’s volleyball team, who had to make the transition to a new head coach. Out was 27-year-veteran Garth Pischke, and in was first-time head coach, Phil Hudson. A difficult start to the season put them behind the eight ball straight away. The team began with four straight losses coming at the hands of the Winnipeg Wesmen and the UBC Thunderbirds. However, since then the team has played better, amassing a 3-4 record, including a sweep over the Regina Rams. Top players of the first half include John Galloway who has collected 111 kills, and Derek Tyler who has amassed twelve blocks, which both lead the team. Hockey Women (Ranked: #3; Record: 11-2-1; second in Canada West) Consistency, and teamwork has been the name of the game for the Bisons women’s hockey team this season. The Bisons have scored more than 20 fewer goals than their Canada West rivals, the University of Alberta Pandas, but due to their overall strong play, particularly defensive, remain tied on points. The Bison’s teamwork is demonstrated by the fact that four members of the team have amassed double figures in points, led by Addie Miles’ 13 points. If one member of the team has stood out it would be goaltender Stacey Corfield who’s goals-against-average (1.66), and wins (10) are among the best in the entire CIS. Men (Ranked: unranked; Record: 9-6-1; third in Canada West) Inconsistency has been the main nemesis of the Bisons men’s hockey team this season. After a promising two-game sweep of the Regina Rams, the team went 1-3 in their next four games, followed by three straight wins — including a sweep of the UBC Thunderbirds — which was followed with four straight losses, before ending the season with three straight wins — including a most recent sweep of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. The team’s top scorers have been Rick Wood, and Chris Falloon, who have each scored nine goals and potted 20 and 18 points respectively. Basketball Women (Ranked: unranked; Record: 4-6; tied for second in the Great Plains division) The Bisons women’s basketball team has been a difficult group to figure out. Just when it seemed their season was heading south they beat the highly ranked Regina Rams this past weekend. Of course, they did lose the back end of the two-game series, but, if the team can build on the positives from that first game, the prospects for the second half of the season should be much brighter. Tessa Klassen leads the team with 11.7 points per game, while Kait Flett leads the team in rebounding at 6.0 a game. Men (Ranked: unranked; Record: 1-9; fourth in the Great Plains Divison) When you have only won once in 10 games it is difficult to find a silver lining. But if there has been one this season for the Bisons it is their defence. In fact, their 762 points allowed is fifth best in the Canada West out of 14 teams and is about equal to the 10-ranked Calgary Dinos (759). Now if they could only do something about their offence (682 points scored), which is the worst in all of Canada West. Top players of the first half include Isaac Ansah and Darcy Coss, who lead the team with 20.6 and 15.3 points per game respectively.


Terms of Use RSS Feeds © Copyright 2008 The Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation