hacklink hack forum hacklink film izle hacklink marsbahisizmir escortsahabetpornJojobetcasibompadişahbet

News

Tag: Eagles

  • NCAA trickle effect shakes up Canmore Eagles, national hockey landscape

    NCAA trickle effect shakes up Canmore Eagles, national hockey landscape

    A seismic shift in hockey’s landscape is sending tremors across every level in Canada.

    CANMORE – The chaos that happened in November set in for Hudson Sedo.

    After a landmark decision to allow Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players in NCAA Division I men’s hockey starting next year, a seismic shift in the winter sport’s landscape is sending tremors across every level in Canada.

    By all accounts, it’s been a good kind of chaos for the 18-year-old rookie goaltender, who after quickly establishing himself as one of the best players in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), became a top target for recruitment at a higher level elsewhere.

    The Western Hockey League (WHL) came calling for Sedo, and so did Team Canada West for the World Junior A Challenge. Sedo flew to Prince Albert, Sask., for a tryout with the Raiders, in hot pursuit of the young netminder’s services, then he is back in Canmore this week before heading to Canada West tryouts.

    “I would say it’s been a bit of a whirlwind. Lots of travel and driving and flying, but It’s been an amazing experience so far,” said Sedo, a tall and slim prospect from St. Albert.

    Sedo, who has a 7-2-0 record and .926 save percentage with the Eagles, became a sought-after goalie in western Canada this month, after the NCAA voted to make major junior players in Canada eligible to play Division I men’s hockey.

    Historically, if teenage players wanted to go the NCAA route, then the Canadian Junior A Hockey League (CJHL) was one of the main pipelines to get there. The NCAA, which regulates student athletics at U.S. post-secondary institutes, had banned what it considered professional athletes in Division I, which players under the CHL banner had fallen under due to receiving compensation – a $ 600 stipend- until the Nov. 7 decision.

    The vote gives elite players in leagues like the AJHL the flexibility to now choose destinations like the WHL without fear of losing their NCAA Division I eligibility.

    “For myself, as an 18-year-old, it’s a pretty awesome opportunity for me to be able to now look at making that jump to the WHL before heading to the NCAA,” said Sedo.

    Clarity on hockey pyramid

    President of the Canadian Junior A Hockey League (CJHL) Andy Harkness said he’s encouraged that the NCAA’s new ruling has given clarity on where the CJHL fits into the hockey ecosystem, which is essentially a feeder organization to the CHL.

    “At the end of the day, I think this just benefits the hockey players,” said Harkness. “No more decisions at 14 or 15 [years old] of ‘Am I going to NCAA?’ … then we’re going to be a landing spot for CHL players that need more time to develop. So I think it’s all great news and we see it as a win.” 

    Harkness added the CJHL hasn’t experienced any significant changes but they are anticipating hurdles and a trickle-down effect eventually. However, it’s “great news” to now be able to work with the CHL, said Harkness, as opposed to being seen as competitors.

    “We’re evaluating all the different scenarios, but at the end of the day we think it gives us clarity … on our job to develop players,” said Harkness.

    Dan Mason, a professor with the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation said that the recruitment implications for junior A leagues will fall on its ability to attract exceptional players.

    The CJHL, which overlooks the AJHL, had a competitive advantage to lure players looking at a future in the NCAA.

    “I think that there are going to be exceptional players that potentially go to the Western Hockey League before going to the NCAA, which is something that makes the AJHL exciting, at least before the break off of those franchises to the [British Columbia] Hockey League [earlier this year],” said Mason. “But I think that at the very high end, it’s gonna have implications for recruitment and that sort of thing.”

    Sedo said he had mixed emotions about the NCAA vote due to the added difficulty and pressure that some Junior A players are now facing since the player pool for the NCAA has become much broader. 

    “They might not be getting the same eyes and attention as they were prior to the decision to change the rules,” said Sedo.

    Teams checking in on Eagles players

    This season, Canmore Eagles had its best start to a season in the past two decades, but that has become a double-edged sword for the local Junior A club, with eyes on its top players across multiple leagues.

    Around the time of the NCAA vote, the Eagles went on a six-game losing skid that lasted well into November. Losing Sedo for a stretch of games hurt; however, head coach and general manager Andrew Milne thought part of the team’s struggles could have been a “mental battle” with the uncertainty and changes coming.

    “Things are moving so fast that the players don’t know what to do and I think it’s just a distraction to the big picture, which is just to control your attitude and your effort,” said Milne in a Nov. 18 interview with the Outlook.

    “There’s so much movement right now in the game of hockey, the loyalty is gone and that’s the part of the game that’s a little challenging. The players aren’t quite seeing what the path is to get to the next level because it’s uncertain right now.”

    Teams within the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), an independent league which welcomed five teams from the AJHL earlier this year, are trying to recruit players.

    During the BCHL’s Nov. 20 board of governors meeting, commissioner Steven Cocker said a “small percentage of players have left our league due to this change” in the NCAA.

    Milne said BCHL teams were “calling some of our players” after about 40 players left the independent league to join major junior teams in leagues like the WHL or Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

    “Where are they replacing those guys from?” said Milne. “Well, they’re calling our guys or their agents are getting a hold of our guys and having discussions and, unfortunately, it just causes a lot of stress for a lot of kids.”

    Mason said the main thing to keep in mind is that when the WHL, or other major junior leagues are recruiting, it’s only the high-end players. He added the opportunities that the players will receive outweigh the losses of the individual clubs.

    “But at the same time these [Junior A] teams are part of the communities that they play in and people are happy to watch the players play for the love of the game and chase the dream of playing at a higher level,” said Mason. “I think that’s not going to go away, necessarily.”

    New opportunities are falling on players like Sedo.

    As of Wednesday (Nov. 27), the goalie is the lone Eagles player to be also listed on a WHL roster.

    “I’m really grateful for the opportunity that Canmore has provided me to develop as a hockey player, and with this rule change, I think that for me it’s very beneficial and it provides future opportunities at the next level and I’m really excited to entertain those,” said Sedo.

    “I’m looking forward to putting on an Eagles jersey back on for this week and hopefully bring some more wins to the team and … I’m excited for what the future holds.”



    Source link

  • Alan Curbishley used Crystal Palace notes to relegate Eagles

    Alan Curbishley used Crystal Palace notes to relegate Eagles

    Former Charlton Athletic manager, Alan Curbishley, used a seemingly innocuous mistake by Iain Dowie to help seal Crystal Palace’s relegation in 2005.




    In professional football, the slightest advantages, even those psychological, can make all the difference. This may well have been true for Dowie’s lowly Eagles, who were relegated on the final day of the 2004-05 season in incredible circumstances.

    Premier League table – 14th May 2005 (Before the final day)

    Pos

    Team

    Pld

    W

    D

    L

    GF

    GA

    GD

    Pts

    17

    Norwich City

    37

    7

    12

    18

    42

    71

    -29

    33

    18

    Southampton

    37

    6

    14

    17

    44

    64

    -20

    32

    19

    Crystal Palace

    37

    7

    11

    19

    39

    60

    -21

    32

    20

    West Bromwich Albion

    37

    5

    16

    16

    34

    61

    -27

    31

    Known as the greatest escape in modern English football, West Bromwich Albion became the first side to avoid relegation from the Premier League despite being bottom at the start of the final day.


    Of course, for every miraculous survival story, there are just as unlikely casualties, and despite Crystal Palace starting the day in 19th, Norwich’s 6-0 loss against Fulham meant an Eagles win away to Charlton would have easily renewed their Premier League status.

    Premier League table 2004-05 – Final standings

    Pos

    Team

    Pld

    W

    D

    L

    GF

    GA

    GD

    Pts

    17

    West Bromwich Albion

    38

    6

    16

    16

    36

    61

    -25

    34

    18

    Crystal Palace

    38

    7

    12

    19

    41

    62

    -21

    33

    19

    Norwich City

    38

    7

    12

    19

    42

    77

    -35

    33

    20

    Southampton

    38

    6

    14

    18

    45

    66

    -21

    32

    Having led 2-1 as late as the 82nd minute, Jonathan Fortune’s equaliser, the final goal of the day, secured Palace’s downfall – and to make it even more painful, it came at the hands of their local rivals.


    Happier memories for Charlton supporters, but fans might be surprised to know that, according to their beloved ex-gaffer, the catalyst for this result began, bizarrely, during a League Cup tie seven months prior.


    Alan Curbishley gave his side the upper hand

    FLW 169 IMAGE (3)

    While the idea of Charlton being a comfortable mid-table side in the English top flight might be difficult to imagine in the present day, this was very much the case exactly 20 years ago.

    The Addicks were long-safe, sitting 13 points ahead of Dowie’s Eagles in the table. With relatively nothing to play for except pride, you’d be forgiven for thinking the game didn’t matter to Curbishley and co.

    However, with bragging rights in South London on the line, and a chance to relegate a local rival, this was simply not the case, especially as Palace had already defeated them at The Valley that season in a third round Carling Cup tie, eliminating them from the competition.


    A pitch-side interview with the club in 2021 revealed that Curbishley felt little to no remorse for their supporting role in this tragedy, even admitting that he had used some managerial dark arts to try and get one over on them.

    “They’d have done the same to us without a shadow of a doubt,” he said.

    “I think we played them in the League Cup earlier on in the season, and somehow, they left all their notes in the away dressing room.

    “One of the apprentices picked them up and brought them in to me, and it had all the bad things that he had all the bad things that he had said about our players on it.

    “So I thought, you know what, I’ll save that for when we next play them, and I just pinned it to the dressing room wall for certain players and said ‘this is what they think of you’. You can’t run, you’re not strong enough, you aren’t aggressive enough.”

    A move that wouldn’t seem out of place in an episode of Ted Lasso, Curbishley had used the external words of criticism as an opportunistic attempt to invigorate his squad.


    While it is impossible to prove that this did, in fact, have a bearing on the result, it is interesting to note that two of the six players to have featured in both fixtures (Jerome Thomas and Jonathan Fortune), likely featuring in these infamous notes, combined for the all-important equaliser.

    Alan Curbishley, Charlton legend

    Football - Charlton Athletic Kit Launch - Sparrows Lane Training Ground, New Eltham - 18/7/03 Charlton's Hermann Hreidarsson , Manager Alan Curbishley , Simon Royce and Matt Holland Unveil the new kit for the 2003/2004 season Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Robin Hume

    In uninspiring times at The Valley, a trip down memory lane such as this may bring bittersweet nostalgia for the early 00s and their inarguable managerial legend.

    Shortly after the aforementioned interview, in April 2021 it was announced that the League One club would rename their East Stand to ‘the Alan Curbishley Stand’, exemplifying his important contributions to the club.

    A fifteen-year stint between 1991 and 2006 represented arguably the most successful period in the club’s post-war history, and certainly the best in modern times.


    While it took 16 years to reveal to the public, this kind of story goes some way to explaining the type of opportunism, emotional intelligence, and frankly, competitively pettiness that made Alan Curbishley such a hero to Charlton supporters.

    League Two - Play-Off Semi Final Second Leg - Port Vale v Swindon Town

    Related

    Ranking Charlton Athletic’s top 7 best managers based on PPG – Alan Curbishley = 6th

    The Addicks are one of English football’s biggest sleeping giants, but which managers won the most points per game in their time at The Valley?



    Source link

  • How Eagles’ Mekhi Becton fell in love with football again in Philly, why Eagles different than past teams

    How Eagles’ Mekhi Becton fell in love with football again in Philly, why Eagles different than past teams

    PHILADELPHIA — Mekhi Becton faced an uncertain future when he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles back in May. The former first-round pick heard all the negative criticisms of him.

    Disappointment. Bust. Waste of a draft pick. 

    Becton wasn’t sure if he would bounce back, or even if he could. The 25-year old Becton took a chance on reviving his career with the Eagles, unsure what to expect when he walked inside the NovaCare Complex for the first time. 

    The second Becton walked into the Eagles practice facility, he knew things were different. 

    “They literally welcomed me with open arms,” Becton said. “I walked in here. To see Stout [Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland], to meet the guys, to meet Coach Sirianni, just anybody. 

    “When I came to sign my contract, it was all love from Day 1.”

    Becton rediscovered his love for football again in Philadelphia, and it’s not because he earned a job as the starting right guard (a new position). He’s not having fun again because he’s playing well either. 

    “These guys right here,” Becton said as he’s looking at Cam Jurgens and Lane Johnson’s locker, the players he’s next to on the Eagles’ offensive line. “Shit this whole team they have welcomed me as if I’ve been here my whole career. 

    “It’s just made things easier to have people that put their arm around you and just say ‘Come on, you got it. We’re here with you. You don’t have to do it alone.’ That just makes things a whole lot easier on the field. You get to play free when you’re playing like that.”

    Becton wasn’t signed by Philadelphia to play right guard. He was supposed to be a third tackle behind Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata in case one of those two went down with an injury. Stoutland had other plans, wanting to cross train Becton at guard. Becton had an opportunity to play right guard in training camp when Tyler Steen went down with an injury, and never relinquished the job. 

    Playing the best football in his career of late, Becton has played a massive role in the Eagles averaging 216 rushing yards per game over the last seven games. He’s having fun playing football again too, unlike in the past. 

    “It’s just hard to do something that you grew up wanting to do and you grew up loving and like the support system around you just drains it out of you,” Becton said. “I don’t know. The best way I can put it is, you show up and do your job. Everybody is just on your ass all day and every day when you don’t do anything wrong. 

    “But you’re doing something wrong to them. You’re not going to love it as much either.”

    Becton has been reminded by the Eagles why he wanted to play football in the first place. This is a spot where Becton is happy, even if he won’t think about his future past this year. 

    “I try not to think ahead because I get very anxious,” Becton said. “I’m just gonna keep my head forward, have tunnel vision, and keep doing what I can do.” 



    Source link

  • receiver DeMarcus Robinson arrested on suspicion of DUI just hours after Sunday Night Football loss to Eagles – NBC Los Angeles

    receiver DeMarcus Robinson arrested on suspicion of DUI just hours after Sunday Night Football loss to Eagles – NBC Los Angeles

    The Los Angeles Rams awoke to some troubling news on Monday morning, just hours after their blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football. 

    According to NFL Network’s Clayton Holloway, wide receiver DeMarcus Robinson, a key contributor to the Rams offense this season, and one of Matthew Stafford’s favorite targets, was arrested early Monday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence.

    According to a release from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) West Valley Area office, Robinson, 30, was cited and later released to a responsible party. The incident occurred around 5:13 a.m. on northbound US-101, where CHP officers observed a white Dodge sedan clocking speeds north of 100 mph. After initiating a traffic stop, officers identified the driver as Robinson and reported signs of alcohol impairment.

    The arrest is a stark contrast to Robinson’s standout performance just hours earlier, where he caught a touchdown pass in the Rams’ losing effort at SoFi Stadium. 

    The loss marked another frustrating chapter in what has been an uneven aseason for the Rams, who have struggled to find consistency in a tough NFC West division.

    Robinson, now in his ninth NFL season, has been one of the bright spots for Los Angeles this year. Leading the team with six touchdown receptions, the veteran wideout has been a reliable target for quarterback Matthew Stafford, recording 26 catches for 384 yards over 11 starts. His role as a leader on the field has been evident, making this incident all the more disheartening for fans and teammates alike.

    Drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, Robinson spent six years in Kansas City, where he earned a Super Bowl ring. A journeyman since, he had a one-year stint with the Baltimore Ravens before joining the Rams in 2023. His experience and knack for finding the end zone have made him a valuable piece in Sean McVay’s offense.

    Monday’s arrest is a sobering reminder of the responsibilities that come with being in the public eye, especially for athletes who serve as role models both on and off the field. While details about the incident are still emerging, the Rams organization has yet to issue a formal statement regarding Robinson’s arrest.

    For now, the focus will undoubtedly shift to how this situation is handled moving forward. The NFL’s personal conduct policy could come into play, and any potential disciplinary actions from the league or the team remain to be seen.

    For a franchise looking to rebound from a disappointing loss, this incident adds another layer of adversity. 

    And for Robinson, a moment of poor judgment threatens to overshadow a career marked by resilience and productivity. 

    Source link

  • Eagles’ football season ends on cold night in Maple Grove

    Eagles’ football season ends on cold night in Maple Grove

    Snowbanks outlined the field at Maple Grove High School on Friday for the Eagles’ clash with the undefeated Crimson. Photo by Rick Olson

    With snowbanks surrounding the sidelines, autumn seemed to give way to winter in Maple Grove on Friday night, where the Eden Prairie Eagles’ season ended in a cold finality as November winds swept through football fields across Minnesota.

    “It just goes to show how quick stuff can go,” Eagles defensive back and captain Max Kukla said. “It’s senior year, it’s the last football game I’ll ever play. So I’m just gonna try to take that into the lacrosse season the rest of the school year.”

    Eden Prairie collided with a seemingly unstoppable offense in top-ranked and undefeated Maple Grove, which ended the Eagles’ season in a lopsided 34-0 decision in the second-round playoff clash.

    Crimson running back Charles Langama looked unstoppable at times, rushing for 118 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns. 

    Advertisement

    Ad for Washburn McReavy
    Eden Prairie defensive back Vaughn Feely (3) chases Crimson quarterback Kaden Harney (11) in the Eagles’ 34-0 defeat at Maple Grove on Friday. Photo by Rick Olson

    His first touchdown came on a 28-yard run in which he reversed field from one sideline to the other before finding the endzone, capping off a 10-play, 94-yard drive to give Maple Grove a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

    “He’s very good,” senior linebacker and captain James Anderson said. “It took more than one guy to take him down every time. He’s a great running back.”

    It was difficult for the Eagles, winners of four straight games heading into the contest, to keep up with the Crimson’s high-powered scoring attack.

    Maple Grove amassed 337 total yards of offense – 226 on the ground – while sustaining drives by converting on seven-of-11 third downs and two-of-two fourth-down situations.

    Eden Prairie was unable to capitalize on opportunities in the first half, which only compounded their ineffectiveness on a frustrating night. 

    Eden Prairie running back Elijah Rumph (7) rushed for 94 yards on 16 carries in the Eagles’ 34-0 defeat at Maple Grove on Friday. Photo by Rick Olson

    Eagles head coach Mike Grant said his team needed to play a near-perfect game to put themselves in a position to win. 

    That didn’t happen on this frigid Friday night.

    “For us to beat them, we had to catch the interception on the first drive,” Grant said, recapping a number of missed opportunities. “They fumbled a snap and recovered it. We hit their quarterback (Kaden Harney) hard, and he just threw the ball up in the air and their kid caught it for a first down.

    “All those things had to go our way in order to beat them and to keep it close at half.”

    Eden Prairie running back Jeremy Fredericks (1) rushed for 73 yards on 21 carries in the Eagles’ 34-0 defeat at Maple Grove on Friday. Photo by Rick Olson

    The Eagles offense put up 224 total yards, all but 40 on the ground. They were led by senior running back and captain Elijah Rumph, who rushed for 94 yards on 16 carries. 

    Senior running back and captain Jeremy Fredericks add 73 yards on 21 carries.

    “We moved the ball pretty well in the second half,” Grant said. “You just can’t make those mistakes. We’ve been on the other side of this, where you can’t make those mistakes against us and we can’t make those against them.” 

    Defensively, the Eagles were led by seniors Matthew Ivey and Vaughn Feely, each with six tackles.

    But the Eden Prairie defense struggled to get off the field on third down, leaving the door open for Langama to churn up yardage. The Crimson also threw the ball effectively as Harney completed seven-of-14 passes for 111 yards.

    Crimson running back Charles Langama ran for 118 yards on 15 carries and scored two touchdowns in the Crimson’s 34-0 win over Eden Prairie on Friday. Photo by Rick Olson

    “Maple Grove is a great team. I hope they have a good season,” Ivey, a captain, said afterward. 

    Maple Grove’s offensive line is composed entirely of seniors, an advantage the Eagles did not have this season with a young front. But Grant is optimistic for the group entering next season with experience to compete in Eden Prairie’s always-demanding schedule.

    “They have big, physical kids. And that’s the difference,” Grant said. “We start almost all juniors in our offensive line, and it’s just that physicality of that year just makes a difference. And next year, we’ll have that veteran senior offensive line that we can impose our will on, and kind of like they’ve imposed their will on us tonight.”

    With their victory over the Eagles, Maple Grove (10-0) will move on to face Edina in the state quarterfinals on a neutral site at Park Center High School on Thursday.

    Eden Prairie, a program accustomed to closing out its seasons indoors at U.S. Bank Stadium, finishes the 2024 campaign with a 6-4 record and looks ahead to 2025.

    “They played hard right till the end, and that’s all we can ask from them,” Eagles head coach Mike Grant said after Eden Prairie’s 34-0 loss to Maple Grove on Friday. Photo by Rick Olson

    Grant wraps up his 32nd season at Eden Prairie, a career that includes 16 playoff appearances and 11 state championships. The head coach expressed admiration for his latest team, citing their determination throughout the season.

    “I’m just proud of them, because they played so hard all year, through the ups and downs,” Grant said. “And tonight, they played hard right till the end, and that’s all we can ask from them.”

    And for the seniors, many remained on the cold field in Maple Grove to stretch their season out a bit longer, expressing gratitude for teammates and memories to last a lifetime.

    “Just all the lessons I learned from all the guys, about hard work, about leadership,” Ivey said. “Football, it’s a game, but it’s more than a game. It’s the opportunity to work hard and to work as a team towards something, and it means something more than just a game.”

    Max Kukla (11) hugs Dominick Palladino (31) after Eden Prairie’s 34-0 loss at Maple Grove. Photo by Rick Olson
    Senior captain James Anderson (5) reflects after Eden Prairie’s 34-0 loss at Maple Grove. Photo by Rick Olson
    Seniors Vaughn Feely (3) and Matthew Ivey (22) share a hug after Eden Prairie’s 34-0 loss at Maple Grove. Photo by Rick Olson


    Be Informed

    Sign up for the FREE email newsletter from EPLN


    Subscribe

    Comments

    We offer several ways for our readers to provide feedback. Your comments are welcome on our social media posts (Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn). We also encourage Letters to the Editor; submission guidelines can be found on our Contact Us page. If you believe this story has an error or you would like to get in touch with the author, please connect with us.



    Source link

  • Super Eagles shine in NPFL and international football amid transfer rumors and diplomatic tensions

    At https://sportego.ie/betting/, Nigerian football continues to capture global attention, with recent performances and challenges shaping the national football landscape. Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa recently led Kano Pillars to a thrilling 4-3 victory over NPFL champions Enugu Rangers, scoring a wonder goal that helped secure the win. This performance highlights Musa’s enduring impact in Nigerian football as he remains a key figure both domestically and internationally.

    Another notable update is the future of Super Eagles players in Europe. According to several reports, the La Liga club, Las Palmas is planning a move for Super Eagles striker, Sadiq Umar during the looming winter transfer window. Due to his persistent injuries with his current club, this move will seem beneficial for his career as his return to Spain’s top division will favor the striker as he is well known for his hard-fighting attributes and his physical moves.

    Victor Osimhen’s comeback from the sidelines is imminent, whether it be on the international or club scene. As of now, the Napoli striker is training, gearing up for Galatasaray’s clash with Antalyaspor. It appears Osimhen’s self-predicted recovery date was spot on, and international football fans are now on the cusp of seeing him in action once more! With Nigeria needing his goals to secure their place in the upcoming AFCON tournament, it is a great time for him to return.

    Off the pitch, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has recently been involved in a diplomatic controversy following the detention of the Super Eagles in Libya. The team’s arrival for an AFCON qualifier was marred by delays and poor treatment at the Libyan airport, leading to claims that Nigeria had issued an apology to Libya. However, the Nigerian government has firmly denied these reports, insisting that no apology was made. This incident has drawn attention to the logistics and organization surrounding international fixtures, with Nigerian officials now keen to ensure smoother arrangements in the future.

    In addition to these stories, Nigeria has suffered a setback with Super Eagles defender Olisah Ndah being ruled out for the rest of the year due to a fibula fracture. This injury poses a challenge for the national team as they prepare for key qualifiers in the coming months, and the NFF will need to rely on its depth in defense to cope with Ndah’s absence.

    Meanwhile, off-season transfer speculations are beginning to heat up, with Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman reportedly considering a Premier League return. Lookman, who currently plays for Atalanta in Italy’s Serie A, is said to be eyeing a move back to England in the January transfer window. This potential transfer could reinvigorate his career, and many Nigerian fans are eager to see if the pacey forward can regain his form in the competitive English league.

    This is another episode highlighting the variety of football in Nigeria, from the local league to international matches. As some players remain prominent in local teams and become heroes of such matches, others gain new experience playing abroad. The Nigerian national team is preparing for an international competition and, undoubtedly, more transfers and international match results will soon be the topic of other episodes.



    Source link

  • Men’s Soccer: Cavaliers storm back to defeat Eagles, 4-2 : Jerry Ratcliffe

    Men’s Soccer: Cavaliers storm back to defeat Eagles, 4-2 : Jerry Ratcliffe

    By Colin Moore
    JerryRatcliffe.com correspondent

    Photo: UVA Athletics

    Despite a slow start, Virginia notched its fourth-straight victory after storming back for a 4-2 win over American at Klöckner Stadium Tuesday.

    After falling behind by two early goals, the Cavaliers were able to score four unanswered. The entire Virginia team showed great perseverance and determination to come from two goals down.

    It was another outstanding performance by Cavaliers anchors Nick Dang and Joey Batrouni leading the Hoos to a great comeback performance Tuesday night. Dang was dominant in the air, winning all of his 50-50 opportunities, and Batrouni made numerous uncontested saves to help the Hoos to victory.

    HOW IT HAPPENED 

    The Cavaliers (6-4-3) had a slow start to the match as they allowed two goals within the first 15 minutes to American (3-5-5) on a brisk night in Charlottesville.

    The first goal occurred in the fifth minute when Troy Elgersma made a fantastic run into the box. Once receiving the ball, Elgersma beat two Cavalier defenders and took a shot that Batrouini made a great initial kick save on. Unfortunately for the Hoos, the ball ricocheted directly to Toshi Davis, who shot the ball that was deflected off Grant Howard’s leg but went into the Cavaliers’ net for the opening goal of the match.

    The second goal for American occurred a few moments later, when again Elgersma was involved. This time, Elgersma turned the Hoos over in the defensive third, made a quick pass to the center of the field where Sam Hershey took a fantastic one-touch shot into the top left of Batrouni’s net. Honestly, there was nothing Batrouni could do, as it was a perfect finish.

    The Hoos earned a goal later on in the 18th minute off one of their five corners in the first half. Who else but Dang to again get his head to a ball. Daniel Mangarov’s ball was punched straight into the air by goalie Matthew Tibbetts, but ultimately found the head of Dang for the Hoos’ opening goal. The officials went to the monitors to double check an offside call, but the goal stood.

    The Cavaliers were able to gain a little momentum with this goal, gaining the majority of the possession towards the end of the half. The Hoos led in shots with 10 (1 on goal) to American’s 5 (4 on goal). Batrouni was able to register two saves in the opening half to keep the teams just one goal apart.

    UVA coach George Gelnovatch must have had an inspiring halftime speech, as the Hoos came out of the half a completely different team. Kome Ubogu opened the second-half scoring spree in the 47th minute after David Okorie played a one-two with Mangarov just outside the box.

    Okorie continued his run past the defenders of American and was able to pick out Ubogu, who beat his defender near post for a simple tap-in finish to equal the scoring at 2 goals each.

    Moments later, Luke Burns got on the scoring sheet after some more tremendous ball movement across the field. The ball found Grant Howard in the right corner of the field, who made a penetrating pass to Ubogu.

    Ubogu laid it out towards the endline just inside the box, where Howard was able to spot the run of Burns. Burns found the back of the net for the Hoos’ third goal of the match, as Burns celebrated with a nifty knee-slide celebration towards his teammates in the corner.

    The final goal occurred in the 60th minute by Ubogu to allow the Hoos to go up two goals. This goal was set up by Alex Parvu, who made a ridiculous acrobatic move along the sideline to keep the ball in.

    He somehow was able to flick the ball with his heel to Albin Gashi, who then played the ball back to Parvu towards the corner flag where he was able to whip the ball across the goal. It found Ubogu’s head, where he made a glancing header to the back post sneaking it past Tibbetts.

    GOALS
    AU: 5’ – Toshi Davis
    AU: 12’ – Samuel Hershey (Troy Elgersma, Oliver Snowden)
    UVA: 18’ – Nick Dang (Paul Wise)
    UVA: 47’ – Kome Ubogu (David Okorie, Daniel Mangarov)
    UVA: 52’ – Luke Burns (Grant Howard, Kome Ubogu)
    UVA: 60’ – Kome Ubogu (Alex Parvu, Albin Gashi)

    ADDITIONAL NOTES
    Courtesy UVA Media Relations

    • Paul Wiese recorded his 22nd career assist and is now tied for 10th all-time in UVA history
    • Kome Ubogu totaled five points in the match (2g, 1a) to tie a career-high (vs VCU, 9/28/21)
    • Ubogu is the first Cavalier to record five points in a single match since Phil Horton in a 3-1 win at Pitt (9/30/22)
    • Ubogu’s multi-goal match is the second by a Cavalier in 2024 (Reese Miller, vs SJU 8/29/24)
    • Nick Dang scored his fifth goal of the season to lead the team in the category
    • David Okorie, Grant Howard, and Alex Parvu each recorded their first career points as all three pitched in assists
    • Freshman Luke Burns recorded his second career goal and has scored two goals in under 200 minutes of action in 2024
    • The Cavaliers netted four goals in a game for the second time this season
    • American’s opening goal is the earliest goal conceded by the Cavaliers this season (5:02)

    WITH THE WIN…

    • Virginia records its first comeback victory of the season and its first since a 2-1 win over Pitt (10/13/23)
    • The Cavaliers recorded a victory after trailing by two goals for the first time since a 3-2 overtime win over Virginia Tech (10/19/2012)
    • UVA increases its win streak to four consecutive games
    • Virginia improves to 6-4-3 overall and records its fifth win at Klöckner Stadium

    FROM HEAD COACH GEORGE GELNOVATCH

    “It was a real slow start. Sometimes we run into these games after three wins in a row and traveling to Boston College and back. They scored two quick goals on us. I would have to think back to remember the last time we went down two goals and won the game, so I give us a lot of credit for that. The changes we made at halftime, to be honest with you, resulted in goals. Alex Parvu, Luke Burns and David Okorie were instrumental in setting up those goals, and that’s what you want.”

    UP NEXT

    The Hoos face ACC opponent Syracuse on Saturday night for Senior Night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Klöckner Stadium.



    Source link

  • Hejduk shines as goaltender for Eagles boys soccer team | Sports

    Hejduk shines as goaltender for Eagles boys soccer team | Sports

    Whether its a fastball that bounces a foot in front of home plate, or a soccer ball blasted towards the corner of the net, there’s not much getting past Kyle Hejduk these days.

    Hejduk, a senior at Saint John, plays for the Heralds baseball team and is the goalie for the Geneva soccer team.

    This season, he surpassed the 300-save mark in soccer.

    “It’s a very special accomplishment to me,” he said of the milestone. “I never thought I’d reach that. That’s like way more than I thought.”

    It’s actually probably more like something he never thought about at all.

    Hejduk’s first sport has always been baseball. He didn’t pick up soccer until he reached middle school.

    His training for the goalie position happened at the end of his ninth grade season. A year later, he was the starter.

    “My coaches thought that since I’m a catcher for baseball, I’d be good at it,” he said. “I tried it and it was pretty fun and I guess I was pretty good.”

    Three years later, what the coaches suspected about his abilities has been more than confirmed.

    Hejduk’s skill in the net and leaderships ability has kept the Eagles in many matches this season.

    “The biggest thing is he’s an aggressive goal keeper,” first-year Geneva soccer coach Jamie Lee said. “He’s somebody that is not afraid to come out when someone is charging at him.

    “Some goal keepers will hold up that extra half second and he doesn’t. He makes that decision right away, comes out and makes the save. That’s what separated him from the other goalies out there.”

    Prior to Lee, the Eagles were coached by Anthony Cardaman, who had to step away from the position to concentrate more on teaching at Grand Valley Local Schools.

    In his time working with Hejduk, though, Cardaman said it was clear Hejduk had all the instincts needed to play the position at a high level.

    “His ability to react in get in front of things is a credit to baseball for certain,” Cardaman said. “His instincts to go when he needs to go, move when he needs to move and be in the right place. He’s a phenomenal athlete and a phenomenal young man.”

    On the diamond, Hejduk’s main position is behind the plate, but he plays other positions as well.

    The instincts he’s developed from baseball are something he agrees has helped him in the net.

    “I feel like I brought those instincts over,” Hejduk said. “I just had to learn how to incorporate them and be confident in what I’m doing.”

    Saint John baseball coach Alvin Rodriguez believes the traits Hejduk developed behind the plate just naturally lend themselves to other sports.

    “I think all catchers are natural leaders and they tend to be kind of selfless guys, Kyle is that,” Rodriguez said. “He’s a team guy, he’s willing to sacrifice and to be in the goal and to be a catcher, you have to willing to sacrifice your body for your team.

    “So, I think that skill set lends itself to different sports and it lends itself to life. I definitely see Kyle being successful at anything he does because of the kind of kid he is, the kind of grit he has and the selflessness in him.”

    Geneva is 6-8-2 overall, 3-1 in the Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division, good for second place, in soccer this fall. They will wrap up the regular season tonight at Chagrin Falls.

    Hejduk said baseball will always be his first love, but if an opportunity arrives for him with soccer, just as he does in the net, he won’t hesitate to go after it.

    “If I get a scholarship for either sport, that would be exciting,” he said.



    Source link

  • Eagles’ win Commonwealth Golf Championship

    Eagles’ win Commonwealth Golf Championship

    Wednesday was a great day to be part of Colonial Forge golf as the Eagles dominated the field, winning the Commonwealth District Championship at Augustine Golf Club in Stafford.

    The par-71 course proved to be no problem for both Matt Hartley and Makayla Grubb, leading the field by shooting a 3-under 68 and 2-under 69, respectively.

    Hartley earned Medalist honors with the low score for the district. Fellow Eagle Jacob Hartley rounded out a 1-2-3 finish for Colonial Forge with a 2-over 73 on the day.

    As a team, the Eagles shot 19-over, finishing with a foursome score of 303. That mark was 19 strokes better than Riverbend, who finished in second shooting a 322, or 38-over, as a group. Will Wexler led the Bears, shooting a 3-over 74, good enough for fourth among individuals.

    Mountain View and Stafford rounded out the top three in team competition, both shooting 62-over (346) on the day. Stafford’s Ariel Evans was fifth among individuals in the tournament, shooting a 5-over 76.

    People are also reading…

    Wednesday’s district tournament results meant that both Colonial Forge and Stafford automatically qualified for the Virginia High School League Region 5D tournament while Riverbend and Massaponax, who finished sixth among seven schools, qualified for the VHSL Region 6B tournament.

    Both regional tournaments are set to take place next week, with the VHSL state championships held from Oct. 14-16.

    Colonial Forge (303): Matt Hartley 68, Makayla Grubb 69, Jacob Hartley 73, William Calder 93.

    Riverbend (322): Will Wexler 74, Dyllan Bell 80, Ben Neal 83, Matt Bell 85.

    Mountain View (346): Caden Brown 82, Makenly Tidwell 86, Richie Frampton 89, John Gallagher 89.

    Stafford (346): Ariel Evans 76, Ashton Shifflett 87, Trevor Willis 90, Carter Haymes 93.

    North Stafford (378): Zach Carter 82, Collin Merk 95, Fabian Perez 100, Jackson Reed 101.

    Massaponax (417): Ethan Greene 94, Avery Amidon 106, Josh Obenhein 108, Ethan Dotto 109.

    Brooke Point (460): Colin Martin 104, Jordan Rendon 112, Lexi Halston 119, Lizzy Hastings 125.

    GOLF

    Tommy Stallings earns the individual Medalists Honors with a score of 71 to lead Culpeper in the 3B Sub-Regional quad-match at Greene Hills Golf Club.

    Matthew Amos shot a 72 for the Blue Devils who fell short with a team score of 318 to the Goochland Bulldogs who shot a 314, led by Dawson Handy with a 75.

    Caden Goerge shot a 74 for William Monroe who totaled 324, and Matthew Tran had a 81 for Maggie Walker who scored a 348 team total.

    Culpeper will advance to the Region 3B finals on Tuesday at Shenandoah Valley Golf Club.

    Goochland (314): Dawson Handy 75, Kasey Cronin 78, Lance Coleman 80, Will Johns 81.

    Culpeper (318): Tommy Stallings 71, Matthew Amos 72, Brett Richardson 86, Lucas Smith 89.

    William Monroe (324): Caden Goerge 74, Carter Knick 82, Ainsley Ford 83, Landon Kullnat 85.

    Maggie Walker (348): Matthew Tran 81, Anusha Rathi 83, ,Cal Vellozzi 92, Samuel Freeman 92.

    FIELD HOCKEY

    Chancellor 6, King George 0: Adelyn Watkins had a hand in all six of Chancellor’s goals as the visiting Chargers defeated the Foxes in a Battlefield District game.

    Watkins scored three goals and had three assists as Chancellor improved to 6-0 in the district, and 6-1 overall. The Chargers also got goals from Hailey Waurio, Trinity Mason and Sofia Vivas. Ellen Gallagher assisted on three of the goals and Waurio had one assist.

    Chancellor hosts Culpeper on Thursday in a battle of teams that are undefeated in the District. King George ( 0-6, 2-7) travels to James Monroe.

    Source link

  • Eagles Star Wide Receiver Ruled Out For Monday Night Football vs Falcons

    Eagles Star Wide Receiver Ruled Out For Monday Night Football vs Falcons

    The Philadelphia Eagles will be without star wide receiver A.J. Brown on Monday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons. Brown was ruled out for the game due to a hamstring injury.

    Insider Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team reported the news on social media.

    Brown put up five catches for 119 yards and one score last week in the Eagles victory over the Green Bay Packers. His production will be heavily missed by Philadelphia but they have co-star DeVonta Smith to hold down the fort.

    More news: Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa Doesn’t Plan to Retire, Will Meet With Neurologists Soon

    Smith put up seven catches for 84 yards and one score in the game against the Packers, showing his worth. He will have a chance to be the primary option for the Eagles and show what he can do.

    Having Brown miss this game could be more precautionary as the Eagles would rather not have this Injury linger throughout the season. Philadelphia has Super Bowl aspirations and Brown is a massive part of those plans.

    Without Brown, Philadelphia may rely more on the running game, especially after such a strong first week. New running back Saquon Barkley had himself a strong first impression with the Eagles, rushing for 109 yards and two touchdowns.

    A.J. Brown
    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 22: A.J. Brown #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with DeVonta Smith #6 against the Miami Dolphins at Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Brown has been…


    Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

    The Eagles will also have to rely on wide receiver Jahan Dotson, who the team traded for just before the start of the season. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni spoke about Datson and how ready he is to perform for this team.

    “Yeah, he’s worked his butt off,” Sirianni said. “He’s obviously a very talented player and we’ll see how that goes. I know the guys are ready when called upon.”

    Philadelphia will be looking to keep their winning ways going as the Falcons try to bounce back from a poor Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Atlanta could be coming into this game with a sense of desperation so the Eagles will have to be on their A-game throughout the entire contest.

    Starting quarterback Kirk Cousins will make his second start for the Falcons, giving them more relevance entering the game. Both teams could put on a show with their offenses, making for a great Monday Night Football game.

    Head to Newsweek Sports to read all about which players will or won’t be playing this weekend.

    More news: Browns Made Major Change to Deshaun Watson’s Contract Over Offseason: Report

    Source link