Chatham-Kent Women’s Sports Recap: Edition #1

By Veronica McFadden

Welcome! This is the first installment of CKSN’s “Women’s Recap.” This will be a monthly recap focused on our female CK Athletes from professional levels to local sports. There will be clips showing their greatness and updates to celebrate these athletes. Please enjoy our first post!

Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), Australia

Bridget Carleton (Forward), Townsville Fire
In the New Year, Bridget Carleton has had a strong start as the Fire faced off against the Adelaide Lightning. Carleton went 3 for 6 on the field and 100% from the free throw line. She would end the game with 8 points as the Lightning would beat the Fire 87 to 61.

Currently Carleton is 4th in points, with 169 and averages 11.5 in her 15 games. Carleton known for her 3-pointers from the baseline is tied for first (40.5%) as she continues to show that she can rip them. She’s not only ripping them from above the 3-pointer line, but Carleton is also shooting 41.3% from the field goal. Her strong shooting skills are also shown from the free throw line as she makes 23 of her 29 (79.3%).

With 5 games left in the regular season and the Fire currently sitting in last place, you can Carleton and the Fire play here: http://wnbl.5stream.com/. You can also follow the Fire on Twitter and Instagram to keep up-to date, as well as WNBL on all social media platforms.

USports, Canada

Marandee Hunter (Goalie), St. Thomas University

The start of 2020 for St. Tommies goalie, Marandee Hunter started off with a big 3-2 win over the University of New Brunswick (UNB). Hunter would split the game with her goalie partner Caroline Pietroski. UNB would get 14 chances on Hunter and score 2 past her.

Marandee Hunter is an all-star goalie in the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) as she has 8 games under her belt and has won 6 of them. Hunter is also posting a quality start percentage of 0.7500. 75% of the time Hunter starts the game she will post a save percentage of above league average of 0.9316. Hunter is proving that she is a raising star in her first year. St. Thomas is currently sitting in 5th place with a record of 9-8-1. With Hunter protecting net, solid defense from Alex Woods and leading goal scorer Olivia Reid, St. Thomas is a force to be recon with as they enter the last half of the season.

Marandee Hunter makes a great toe save at the end of the 1st against the Dalhousie Tigers. St. Thomas would go on to win it 5-1. Video courtesy of aus.tv.

You can watch Marandee Hunter and the Tommies for free here: http://www.austv.ca/

Make sure to also follow the Tommies on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to stay up-to-date as Hunter and the team make a run for the open 3rd seed in the playoffs.

Sydnee Baker (Forward), Western University

In the first game of the second half of the season Sydnee Baker is picking up where she left off. Picking up 2 points (1G 1A) in Western’s first game back, as they beat the Laurier Golden Hawks 4-3. Baker would assist on the April Clark powerplay goal that would start the comeback and she would then score the game-tying goal later in the 3rd period to force the game into overtime. With the hot start to the new year Baker is now tied 3rd in points (16), and 3rd in goals (9). Baker’s 16 (6G 7A) in 15 is just another reason as to why Baker was such a highly welcomed talent to the Mustang. She is tied for 1st in PP goals with 2 of her other teammates, April Clark and Brooke Dicicco, with 4 goals. Baker is a highly talented player and if you get a chance to watch a Western game, she is a standout.

Renae Nevills (Defense), Western University

Another great talented player from the CK area is Renae Nevills. A strong first game back also for Nevills as she assisted on the game-winning goal from Rachel Armstrong in OT. Known her strong defensive play Nevills is doing everything that she can to help the Mustang win. Although OUA and USports don’t track block shots Nevills would be up in the top 5 if they did. Always in great defensive position to block shots and pass attempts she is one of the best stay-at-home defensemen that Western has.

Nevills started the season with points in back-to-back games and getting 3 points in the first game against York as well as an assist against Brock. In 11 games Renae has 7 points (1G 6A). Western is currently sitting at 6-5-2-0, with 21 points on the season and just sitting outside of a playoff spot only 3 points behind Brock university. Make sure to follow along with the Western Mustang on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up-to-date on the Mustang’s game and their race for the

Sydnee Baker scores the game winning goal against Queen’s. Baker would record 3 points (2G, 1A) during this game. Video courtesy of oua.yaretv.com

Kat Whiteye (Forward), Brock University

Kat Whiteye has had a slow start to the season as she has 3 points (0G 3A) in 11 games. Despite the slow start for Whiteye Brock university is fighting to stay in playoff position. Throughout the years Kat has shown that she comes to play in the big games and that is what Brock needs to keep the 8th playoff position. They are currently 8-7-0-2 and will have a rough journey to stay in playoffs. They will play against Ryerson, University of Toronto, York, and Guelph to end January.

Follow their journey on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Madison Lalonde (Forward), Ryerson University

Madison Lalonde is a solid forward for the Rams. A hot start to the season for Lalonde has led to a bit of a slump in the recent games. Before the break, Lalonde went 6 points (2G, 4A) in 12 games. In recent season Lalonde has reached double digits, 2017-2018 Lalonde reached 10 points (4G, 6A) and in 2018-2019 she had a career high of 11 points (4G, 7A). Lalonde will hit double for the 3rd time as she has consistently shown her work ethic around the net and her ability to snipe it. Per OUA.ca Maddie is an away player putting up 4 points (1G, 3A) compared to when she is home (1G 1A). She will have time to build on her home stats as Ryerson will be at home for 4 of their 5 games in January.

Lauren Nicholson (Forward), Ryerson University

Lauren Nicholson started the New Year off with an assist on Olivia Giardetti goal, which ended up being the game winner against Waterloo. Nicholson has 12 points (5G, 7A) in 15 games, which puts in her in 14th place. Nicholson has shown that she is a PP specialist with 3 PP goals. Nicholson is only 1 PP goal behind local product Sydney Baker. Nicholson is also tied for 5th with teammate Emma Crouse in PP goals. She also has 3 game-winning goals. Her most recent one was against Laurier before the Holiday break. Last season was Nicholson’s most productive with 22 points (12G, 10A) and it looks like she is on pace for another 20-point season. Lauren Nicholson is a top player for the Rams. She has yet to miss a game and has produced big when the Rams need it.

Ryerson Rams are going to need their CK products to play big to stay in the top half of the playoffs. Rams are currently 4th 9-5-1-0 and are gearing up to end the season on a high. They play against some top-rated teams like Brock (Jan. 16th), Toronto (Jan. 23rd), and Guelph (Jan. 31st). They will also play against some local talent on Jan. 18th as the Western Mustang come to Toronto to play the Rams.

You can follow the Ryerson Rams season on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook.

Lauren Nicholson sets up the game-winning goal as she makes a beauty pass to the Olivia Giardetti. Ryerson would go on to win the game 3-1. Video courtesy of oua.yaretv.com.

Thank you for reading! This will be a monthly posting halfway through the month. If you would like your team or an athlete that you know to be highlighted, please connect with us and we will include in them in the next post.