Injuries hurting the Badgers
by Chris Chan, Sports Editor

Brock limped into Toronto on the weekend, suffering from injuries to some key players. Six players, including three regulars have been hit hard, forcing most of them to play at less than 100 percent.

As a result, the Badgers settled for an even 2-2 record on the weekend, defeating the York Yeowomen, and McGill Martlets while losing to the Toronto Varsity Blues, and the Queen's Golden Gaels.

"The injuries played a big role," said assistant head coach Dawn Elliott. "I don't want to use it as an excuse, but it did affect us"

On Saturday, the Badgers woke up before sunrise to play an early morning contest with the Varsity Blues at 8:30am. Brock lost 11-7 in a game where Laura Centofanti was missing from the lineup.

Les Maybury led the way with four goals for the Badgers, while Megan Ryan notched a pair and Dawn Brake added a single.

In the afternoon contest, Brock redeemed themselves with a 13-5 thrashing of York. "We had a good spread of scoring, "said Elliott. "We completely dominated".

The Badgers who in the past have relied on Maybury and Ryan for most of their offensive production, would get goals from seven different players this game. Maybury and Ryan each had three, while Cassie Sams and Heather Stephens scored two each. Hitomi Nantani, Jen McGillis, and Dawn Brake each scored once.

With a 5-2 record, the Bdgers woke up very early again the next day to play another double header. In the morning contest, Brock dropped McGill 11-5 in a game where a few of the regulars did not start.

Rookie goaltender Danielle McLachlan earned the victory for the Badgers. Stephens scored four goals to lead the way on offence, while Ryan netted three more. Sams had a pair, and Maybury added another one. Tammy Teatro would also score for the Badgers in this game.

A few regulars who did not start in the morning game started in the afternoon contest against the Golden Gaels. However, despite a full lineup for this game, the Badgers just seemed too banged up and tired to play a full 60 minutes. It would be Brock's fourth game in two days. Despite the rough schedule, the Badgers at one point led 4-2 at half-time. The hard work impressed Elliott.

"It was the best half of lacrosse I've seen this team play," she said. "It was a good game all around. There was a lot of good passing from both teams; it was beautiful to watch".

The women lost their legs in the second half, and soon lost their lead, then the game. The final was 11-6, dropping the Badgers current record to 5-3. Ryan and Maybury led the team once again in scoring, netting a pair each. Sams would score another single, as well as Laura Centofanti.

Despite the loss, Elliott remains optimistic for the rest of the season.

"We know we can beat both Toronto and Queen's," Elliott said. "We hope to be healthy come playoff time, and we hope we can peak at the right time too." Brock hosts Guelph this Saturday at 11:45 am.
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