The Ryerson Rams fall season sports have started or have their starts right around the corner. While the beginning of the athletic year featured soccer, fastpitch and baseball- week two presents another slew of games.
With most of the programs making their home debuts this weekend, it will surely be an exciting time around the Ryerson sporting community when it comes to things to watch.
SOCCER M/W
Both the men’s and women’s soccer teams will have an eerily familiar weekend, as they both take on Queens University and the Royal Military College- the two schools they faced last week while on the road.
The men are coming off a pair of wins, prevailing over both the Paladins and the Gaels. last weeks games were handled well by the Rams, but two determined Kingston sides searching for revenge could prove to be problematic.
With the two wins, the Rams flew up the U Sports national soccer rankings. They now rank fifth in Canada, ahead of highly regarded programs such as the UBC Thunderbirds.
With nine goals through their first two games, the Ram’s men are firing on all cylinders and will do their best to keep their stock rising and good times rolling.
The first men’s game this weekend is on September 7th at Downsview Park, with kick-off set for 3:15 against Queens. The second match of the weekend on the 8th will be the same place and same time against the RMC Paladins.
Also on the pitch are the Ram’s ladies, who face the same opponent as the men. The women’s team, although having a .500 record, are in high spirits. Coming in from a big off-season, full of training, recruitment and reflection- the women’s team came in determined to improve on their disappointing 2018 season. Opening weekend saw them fight tooth and nail against queens, before rolling over the Paladins.
With the home debut on the docket, and the importance that surrounds every OUA home game, the Ram’s women’s soccer team could very well win both their games this weekend.
Similar to the men, games are played both saturday and sunday at downsview park. The kickoff times are set each day for 1:00, with the games being played directly prior to the men.
With identical opponents and home advantage, there is a distinct possibility that Ryerson soccer goes four for four this weekend out at Downsview.
BASEBALL
From the pitch to the diamond.
Ryerson Baseball began play this week, and continue their season this weekend with four games- two back to back on both Saturday and Sunday.
The team opened the season up on tuesday night as they hosted the York University Lions, and trampled them 15-1 as they cruised to their first win of the season.coming off such a morale boosting victory, the Rams are high in confidence as they head into the brunt of the season.
The Rams will be travelling to Canada’s capital this weekend to take on the cities two schools. Both Carleton and Ottawa universities play at the same location, swinging their bats at Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Park.
Both Ottawa teams are new additions to the OUA baseball circuit, but are not new to playing baseball. The Carleton Ravens have played in the Canadian university baseball league, and are 2017 league finalists. Although they are without a championship, their 2017 form followed them into 2018 where they fell out in the semi-finals The program is experienced and has the quality to potentially make an impact in their first OUA season. The team has a wide range of ages, with players in their freshman all the way to their senior year. Most players are situated in second and third, however the age diversity will be a multi-faceted asset for the Ravens this season.
U of Ottawa is also beginning their first OUA campaign- however they do not have the large resume that the Ravens poses. A club mainly since 1995, the Gee-Gee’s are an absolute unknown heading into the 2019 OUA baseball season.
Phil Seguin is a man to watch for the Rams, after his four hit day in the 15-1 victory earlier this week.
After his tremendous day at the plate, he spoke to Ryerson Athletics, saying “I don’t know what it is about the mindset of that, but not trying to swing too hard, think opposite field and anything inside you can just turn on that. That is where the power comes out,”
If he sticks with this mindset, there is no reason why he could not achieve the spectacular feat again this weekend.
Saturday’s slate of the games begin at 12:00, while Sunday’s first pitch is an hour earlier as the Ryerson Rams hoping to build on their successful home opener.
Fastpitch
Sticking on the diamond and shifting to the women’s side of the sport, the Rams fastpitch team is beginning their regular season after completing their preseason last week at the Toronto Early Bird Invitational.
As 49 recapped in an earlier piece, fastpitch team went 4-1 in the tournament, setting themselves up for a potentially fantastic regular season.
With excitement and tight games already in the rearview mirror, the Rams are ready to hit the ground running. They host their season and home opener this weekend against University of Waterloo, with two games set to be played, one each day.
Cricket and Cross-Country
The Ryerson Rams men’s cricket team has also began their 2019 season, and not many people around the university know that. The club team which plays off campus has been in the National University Cricket Tournament, where they are trying to defend their 2018 national championship.
Ryerson kicks off their campaign against the Waterloo Warriors on Friday, and will compete throughout the weekend in search of the coveted trophy. 49 sport will have more as the weekend progresses.
On the trails things are starting up as well, with the Rams XCountry team having their open tryouts Sunday September 8th.
That’s the 49 Sport preview for the Ryerson Rams this week! Keep checking in for more updates, articles and analysis on the Rams as well as other collegiate sports.