Our men's soccer season came to an end in week 10 with a silver medal performance at the CCAA National Championship. Our basketball teams protected home court with back to back double header sweeps. Our Volleyball teams secured big wins against crosstown rival La Cité on Wednesday and travelled to Belleville for a double header with the Loyalist Lancers on Saturday. Check out all the details below.
Men's Soccer (7-1-2 Regular Season 5-2 Playoffs)
After a 2nd place finish at the OCAA Final Four 2 weeks prior, the Wolves were ready to take on the best teams from across the country at the CCAA National Championship hosted by St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
In the ¼ on Wednesday November 6th the Wolves took on the Quebec champions Champlain Saint-Lambert Cavaliers. The Wolves earned a 2-0 win thanks to goals by Connor David and Gershom Dupuy. Cristian Aviles-Molina was named the Wolves player of the game.
After the ¼ Final win it was time to take on the PacWest champions Langara Falcons with a spot in the gold medal game on the line. The Falcons took a 1-0 lead in the 57th minute but the Wolves stormed back to win it 2-1 thanks to 2 goals by Connor David who was named player of the game.
On Saturday November 9th the Wolves took on the Humber Hawks in a rematch of the OCAA final, this time with the National gold medal on the line. Unfortunately the Hawks would score the game's only goal in the 21st minute to secure a 1-0 win, despite a tightly contested 90 minutes. Dalen Comeau was named Wolves player of the game.
Although the team didn't get the result they had hoped for in the finals, it was a historic season nonetheless. The team earned the first CCAA medal in the Wolves-era and the 9th medal in men's soccer program history.
Women's Basketball (5-0)
Our women's basketball team remains undefeated after two dominant wins at home this past weekend against the St. Lawrence Surge on Friday and Loyalist Lancers on Saturday.
On Friday the Wolves took on a Surge squad that was still looking for their first win. Algonquin got off to a strong defensive start only giving up 4 first quarter points. St. Lawrence found more of a rhythm in the 2nd quarter scoring 19 to the Wolves 22. The home squad put their foot down in the 3rd quarter winning the period 30-2 on route to a 94-35 home win. Dasia McDonald led all scorers with 18 points while adding 8 steals, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds. Cooper Drover and Leah Hirst were also in double figures with 13 and 12 points each.
On Saturday the Wolves welcomed the Loyalist Lancers for the 2nd annual Shoot for the Cure game. This is the 2nd year in a row that the women's basketball team has raised money for Breast Cancer Canada and on Saturday the 2024 fundraiser came to an end. The final number is not yet known with cash donations still to be added to the total, but the team has reached their $3,500 goal!
As for the basketball, the Loyalist Lancers were coming in with a 3-1 record that had them sitting in 2nd in the OCAA East standings. The Wolves put in another dominant defensive performance holding the Lancers to just 39 points and earning a 66-39 win. Dasia McDonald was once again the games leading scorer with 16 points, 9 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 assists. Libby Hirst was also in double figures with 11 points and 5 rebounds. Kate Dahmer had a strong return from injury scoring 9 points and adding 3 steals and 2 rebounds in just 12 minutes of action.
After the game, coach Jaime McLean and a few of the dads from the team fulfilled their Shoot for the Cure promise by dying their beards pink.
The Wolves will be on the road this Friday in Oshawa to take on the 2-2 Durham Lords.
Men's Basketball (5-1)
Our men's basketball team continued their strong start by taking care of home court on back to back nights.
On Friday they took on the 0-4 St. Lawrence Surge in front of a good crowd at the ARC. The Wolves got off to an early lead and never looked back, putting in a strong defensive performance on their way to an 86-58 win. Tesloch Luk had a double double for the Wolves with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Jansen Balmaceda continued to have the hot hand scoring 14 points on 3 for 5 from 3 point range. 5th year senior Simon Desta continues to be instant offence off the bench for the Wolves. He had 14 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds. Devonte Brooks was the last Wolves player in double figures with 13 points and 7 rebounds.
Saturday against Loyalist was a big matchup. Both teams went into the game with similar records and the Lancers had gotten the better of the Wolves in a pre-season matchup during the battle of the St. Lawrence back in September. Algonquin came out on fire putting up 37 points in the first quarter alone. The Wolves rode the momentum of the hot start to secure a high scoring 100-94 win. Tesloch Luk had a monster game offensively with 35 points while adding 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Ted Braden secured a 14 point and 11 rebound double double. Albert Opena had a solid all around game with 12 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds. Simon Desta was the final Wolves player in double figures with 11 points.
The Wolves have a big one coming up on Friday when they travel to the 5-0 Durham Lords. On Saturday they will head to Peterborough to play the 1-4 Fleming Knights.
Women's Volleyball (5-2)
Our young women's volleyball team continued their strong start to the season with 2 wins this week against crosstown rival La Cité (2-4) and the Loyalist Lancers (2-4).
On Wednesday against the La Cité Coyotes, fans at the ARC were treated to a 5 set thriller! Algonquin took the first and third set with the Coyotes taking the second and fourth, forcing a 5th and deciding set. The home crowd was happy to see the Wolves come out on top 15-9 to take the match. Natasha Lauzon had a strong offensive game with 15 kills. Isabella Tourangeau had 9 kills, 2 aces and an impressive 5 blocks. Carys Tenthorey continued her strong play with 12 kills and 19 digs. Cambria Alford also had a strong performance with 9 kills and 18 digs.
On Saturday in Belleville, the Wolves dropped the first set, but bounced back to win the next three and take the match 3-1. Carys Tenthorey had another strong game with 10 kills and 4 aces. Cambria Alford added 11 kills, while Natasha Lauzon had 8 kills and 3 aces.
The Wolves are back at home this Friday for the first annual Serve for the Cure game before hosting the Fleming Phoenix on Saturday.
Men's Volleyball (1-6)
Our men's volleyball team split the week, earning their first win of the season on Wednesday over La Cité before falling to the Lancers in Belleville.
On Wednesday, the Wolves made quick work of the Coyotes winning in straight sets. 5th year senior Mahmoud Abdelaziz had a strong game with 8 kills and 4 aces. Mateo Nunez Kruus had 7 kills and 3 blocks.
Unfortunately the Wolves had a rough go on Saturday in Belleville losing in straight sets.
The Wolves are back at home this weekend. On Friday they will take on the George Brown Huskies and Saturday they will welcome the Fleming Phoenix to the ARC.
Make sure to stay tuned to AlgonquinWolves.com to keep up with all things Wolves!