TFC match (and victory) highlights another great Athletics and Recreation event for Seneca Summer Students

Seneca students Hilda and Sam (both also varsity student-athletes) enjoy the Toronto FC match at BMO Field in July 2012.

By: Imran Rhemtulla, Seneca Recreation Reporter

During the summer semester, one of  the goals of Seneca's Athletics and Recreation department is to show students that the college experience is not solely about getting through one's studies but also about meeting new people, gaining new experiences and staying active. 

This summer, students have been very fortunate to have enjoyed some amazing weather outdoors and great Athletics and Recreation events.  Seneca Recreation took advantage of the great weather last week as students from the Markham, York, King, and Newnham campuses were treated to an evening of loud cheers, beautiful weather and, the beautiful game - specifically, some excellent soccer action via an outing to see the Vancouver Whitecaps take on the hometown heroes, Toronto FC at BMO Field.

The event was organized by Seneca Campus Recreation Coordinators Colin March and Shannon Wright, as well as the rest of the Recreation crew, which provided students from all campuses the chance to partake in an exciting night in downtown Toronto.  

More than 20 students joined in the cheers of the 20,000 TFC faithful, going from a boring first half to a very exciting second half and a last minute game winning goal - the excitement really got the students and the fans cheering.  

As loud cheers rang-out amongst TFC supporters (in the wake of the last second goal), Seneca students joined-in on the fun and laughter.

Celia, a student in the Law Clerk program enjoyed the evening and learned some thing about the beautiful game.

“I’ve heard about soccer developing in North America and I absolutely love TFC," said Celia.

Marcus, a student heading into his second semester of Business Administration at Seneca was feeling great after the Toronto victory.

“This has been such a great event, I love TFC and this is the fifth game I’ve been to; and without a doubt it offered the most chaos and excitement. Sports means the world to me and I hope there are a lot more sporting events around the corner.”

Seneca’s Athletics and Recreation department has campus recreation events planned all summer and loves to hear positive feedback from event participants. Don’t forget Seneca heads to its next Toronto sporting event to see the Toronto Argonauts on Wednesday, July 18^th, 2012 at Rogers Centre.  

For more information on these events and all things relating to Seneca Athletics and Recreation, “like” www.Facebook.com/SenecaSting and follow www.Twitter.com/SenecaSting.

Two Teams. One Goal. To Be No. 1.

Left: Sabrina Henry, Right: Kailen Murphy at 2011 Seneca Sting Athletics and Recreation Banquet in Apr 2011.

By: Breanna Sutherland, Seneca Student Sports Reporter 

“Pain is weakness leaving the body,” said Seneca Sting soccer sensation, Sabrina Henry, after the Varsity Women’s and Men’s Soccer teams hosted the Durham Lords last Wednesday night.

Heading into the matches, both teams had started their seasons strongly with identical 1-0 early regular season records. Both teams had exceptionally good seasons in 2010-2011 with the men’s soccer team winning the OCAA (Ontario Colleges Athletic Association) bronze medal and finishing undefeated with a 6-0-2 record in the regular season. The Senecan women, meanwhile, finished second in the OCAA’s Eastern Division.

Fifth-year veteran and Early Childhood Education student Sabrina Henry, last year’s recipient of the CCAA (Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association) All-Canadian, Seneca’s 2010-2011 MVP and 2009 OCAA Defensive Player of the Year Awards, expressed that this year the women’s soccer team is working hard to accomplish their ultimate goal, which is to finish first after placing second in the OCAA’s Eastern Division and fourth overall last year.

“Our team’s ultimate achievement this year will be to obviously win first in our division and to win a medal, fourth place wins no medals, and to make it to the Final,” said Henry, whose leadership, smile and laughter are well-known to her Sting team-mates.

Sabrina also expressed some of the challenges that the team faces this year.

“The biggest challenge we face as a team is coming together, because we are a new team, we try to be as close as possible, there are a lot of new players on the team with only a few players from last year returning.”

Although finding time to gel will be a challenge for the team, Sabrina also explained that this may be their key to success.

“We’ve got a few new people and they definitely add to the strength of the team, once we mesh, I think we will definitely be able to accomplish our goals.”

When asked how the best players on the team lead by example, Henry was quick to share the spotlight with her team-mates.

 “We’re all the best players on the team, so we’ve all just got to do our part and step up to the plate.” 

Even though the team consists of new and veteran players, they all are viewed equally by coaches and fellow players alike and are treated the same. Henry explained that the most important trait the new players will learn from the veteran players is discipline.

Last Wednesday, The Sting Women earned a 1-1 tie against the Durham Lords on home field, ending the match in second in the OCAA’s Eastern Division. The Seneca Sting Women’s Soccer team play their next home game at Seneca’s Newnham Field on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. vs. the Algonquin Thunder. 

After Wednesday’s Women’s Varsity match, it was time for The Sting Men to face Durham at Newnham Field.  The result was a rather one-sided 5-0 victory for the home-side.  

Fifth-year veteran and Pre-Service Fire Fighting student, Kailen Murphy, OCAA Men's Soccer Player of the Year last season, said one of his teams keys to success in 2011-2012 is team chemistry.

“A big key to our success [this season] is coming together as a team. Chemistry is a big deal when playing soccer. If the guys on the team click with each other, you are more likely to play a better game,” said the lanky, understated Murphy.

“When we go on road trips, we all go out to dinner together. Occasionally, on the weekends, some of the guys will hang out to try to get to know everyone.”

And just like the Women’s team, the Men’s Soccer team also faces the challenge of having to integrate new players.

“Every year, the biggest challenge is the chemistry amongst players on the team, because it’s a whole new set of guys. So finding a way to get them together, to gel together, is the most difficult part and one of the ways we overcome that is having the veteran guys lead by example, by doing the best we can.”

This team of passionate young players certainly has a clear goal for itself this season that can be answered with one word: Nationals.

While every team sets its goals and objectives each season, it is admirable that for The Sting Men’s and Women’s Soccer teams, while victory is No. 1, camaraderie and team-building are not far behind.

After the dominant victory at Newnham Field over Durham, The Sting Men have a lot of momentum going into their next home game on Saturday, October 15 at 3pm vs. The Algonquin Thunder.  Prizes and giveaways are available for those in attendance at the games.