Steve Shortly
men’s rugby
Steve Shortly was a driving force behind the men’s rugby team’s 78-0 romp over Trent University last Saturday. Shortly scored two tries and set up another during the first half, leading the Gaels to an opening-half start from which the Excalibur couldn’t recover.
Shortly is a recent transfer from McMaster University, where he won three OUA titles and was a two-time member of the Canadian national U-21 team.
Shortly, a centre, said he was nervous in his first game with the Gaels despite his impressive rugby resume.
“I was anxious to get going coming to a new school trying to assert myself,” Shortly said. “Once the nerves settled down I was comfortable.”
Shortly said he’s pleased with his Queen’s experience so far.
“It’s pretty easy on a team with so much talent around,” he said. “We’re going to do really well this year with the talent we have.”
Shortly said the coaches at Queen’s have provided a good atmosphere of balance.
“The coaches here are professional but laid back. We don’t take ourselves too seriously. [Head coach Peter] Huigenbos has done that—focus but don’t forget to have a good time, to have balance between the two.”
Huigenbos is thrilled to have Shortly on the team.
“He has great physical ability and rugby skills, but what he really brings is a positive attitude and a great personality that has fit in well with our team,” he said.
Huigenbos said Shortly’s teammates are equally pleased.
“Our players are really enjoying playing alongside him,” he said.
Although the team plays at the University of Toronto on Saturday, Shortly is especially looking forward to the following weekend, when his old team visits Kingston Field.
“We’re using this weekend to prepare ourselves for McMaster,” he said. “We need some time on the field to work out the kinks strategy-wise and work out what we’re going to do to beat Mac.”
Shortly’s feelings about facing his old team aren’t ambiguous.
“I can’t wait.”
—Mike Woods
Katie McKenna (L) and Hannah Shoichet
women’s soccer
Goalkeepers Katie McKenna and Hannah Shoichet have been some of the brightest stars for the women’s soccer team so far. The two have alternated through the team’s first five games, only conceding one goal thus far. Moreover, the lone goal scored against the Gaels came in last weekend’s game against the University of Ottawa, where the Gaels were outshot 11-2 and Shoichet made 10 saves to keep them in the game.
Head coach Dave McDowell said the pair’s goalkeeping has been one of the team’s best assets. “We’ve had some terrific goalkeeping,” he said. “Some very good saves have kept us close at times where defensively we’ve self-destructed a little bit.” He said the goalkeepers have bailed the team out frequently so far this year. “Fortunately, our goalkeepers have been so good that when we do self-destruct, they’ve been able to mop it up.” McDowell said he plans to play both McKenna and Shoichet throughout the year.
Shoichet is a new addition to the team this season. She arrives from the University of British Colombia, where she was chosen as the goalkeeper for the CIS All-Canadian first team in 2004. She said she’s enjoying her time with the Gaels so far.
“I’m loving it. The girls are great, the coaching staff is excellent and very committed, and we’re really just enjoying ourselves so far and looking forward to the great season that lies ahead.”
McKenna, who has recorded three straight shutouts thus far, has returned for a fourth season with the Gaels. She said she feels comfortable sharing the net with Shoichet.
“I love it. I have a ton of respect for Hannah; she’s an outstanding keeper who I look up to a ton. We feed off each other’s energy well. I think we’re two very different keepers and we learn from each other, so I think it’s great.” McKenna said all four of the team’s goalkeepers work together well.
“It can be tough sometimes having multiple goalkeepers, but this year, with the support from not only Hannah but the two rookie goalkeepers, who are great, we’re such a good little team.”
—Andrew Bucholtz
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s)-in-Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be contacted, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca.