The McMaster Marauders soared past the 91ÑÇÉ« football Lions, 33-16, in both teams' 2006 Ontario University Athletics season opener Monday at 91ÑÇÉ« Stadium.
The Marauders started strong, jumping out to an early 14-0 lead in the first two minutes on a pair of interceptions. The Marauders closed out the first quarter with two field goals and took a 30-0 lead before the half ended, adding a touchdown and a field goal.
Left: 91ÑÇÉ« ball carrier passes a McMaster defender Monday at 91ÑÇÉ« Stadium
91ÑÇÉ« regrouped during the half-time break and came out strong in the third quarter. The Lions held the Marauders to just three points in the final two quarters and proved they can score quickly, posting two touchdowns in the final minute.
The Lions travel to London, Ont., for their next game – a 7pm tilt with the University of Western Ontario Mustangs on Sept. 9.
In other sports news:
Nashville, Tennesee’s Lipscomb University Bisons of the National Colleges Athletic Association handed 91ÑÇÉ« its second consecutive pre-season loss with a 70-57 decision over the men’s basketball Lions Sunday at Tait McKenzie Centre. The Lions kicked-off pre-season play Saturday with a 76-67 loss to Ohio’s Dayton University Flyers.
The women’s basketball Lions lost their exhibition game against Omaha, Nebraska’s Creighton University Bluejays, 70-47, in pre-season action Sunday at the Tait McKenzie Centre.
The defending OUA women’s soccer champions, 91ÑÇÉ« Lions, kicked off the 2006 soccer regular season at the weekend with a 3-3 tie against the Windsor Lancers Saturday and a scoreless draw Sunday against the Western Mustangs. The 91ÑÇÉ« team, which finished first in the OUA North Division a year ago with a 7-1-2 record, captured the program’s first-ever OUA title with a 1-0 upset-victory over the number-one-ranked Ottawa Gee-Gees. This year’s team will look to defend that title and improve on their first-ever appearance at the Canadian Interuniversity Sports National Championship.
The men’s soccer Lions also began OUA regular-season play on the weekend, losing 1-0 to the Mustangs at Western on Saturday. The squad lost 1-0 against the Lancers Sunday in Windsor.
Both soccer teams return to the friendly confines of 91ÑÇÉ« Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 16 when they host the Brock University Badgers in their OUA regular season home openers.
For more detailed coverage of the 91ÑÇÉ« Lions Interuniversity sports teams, visit the Web site.