8 vet THORSTEN GOHL photos Thomas Kearnes (left) surveys the pitch on route to a victory over Quest University. Lana Rockhill and Amrit Berar (above) prepare to counter- attack during a shutout victory this past weekend. Falcons teams shoot up the rankings with weekend wins Langara’s soccer teams dominate their weekend competition By KEVIN HAMPSON Ihe Langara Falcons men’s and women’s soccer teams both won two games last weekend. This garnered them six points, giving them a good shot at the playoffs. Coach David Shankland said the men are “probably the strongest team I’ve had since I’ve been at Langara.” Still, the first half of the season has been tough. The league this year is evenly matched with strong teams, Shankland said. The team is also set back by inex- perience. “The older players should be picking up the younger ones, leading them,” Shankland said last week. The team had not yet played to its potential, he added. But last weekend the men beat Quest University in two games with the same score of 2-1. The victories gave them six points for a total of 13 - tying them with Kwantlen for second place. Douglas College and Vancouver Island University are tied for the lead with 18 points each. Shankland said a player to watch for is third-year Brett Wiens, a top scorer. Ramsey Alfantazi, Amrit Nijjar and Andre Perez-Meres have played well as first years, he added. This weekend the men hope to take six more points from VIU on Sat- urday and Capilano University on Sun- day. If they succeed they will be in a good position to get to the provincials, Shankland said. The women’s team faces the same hurdles as the men’s. Coach Ryan Birt says this is “the most competitive league that I’ve seen in my 12 years.” Like the men, the women are also challenged by inexperience. The team has eight first year players with 13 re- turning, Birt said. “It’s been tough,” he said last Thursday. At that point the team was fifth place out of eight. However, after two solid wins against Quest last weekend, they have moved to second place. Defenders Jodie Davis and Kata- rina Tomic did a “fantastic” job of limit- ing Quest’s scoring chances. The Squa- mishers were shut out in both games, 2-0 Saturday and 1-0 Sunday. Mid-fielder Courtney Sheppard also stood out, scoring Sunday’s win- ning goal. Birt says the team has enough talent to stay in the top four and advance to the nationals. Langara basketball ready to soar Mix of veterans and talented rookies have basketball teams excited for 2012-13 season By GILLIAN HAMES asketball fans have another Be to go before the first games of the 2012-18 season, but it should be worth the wait. The Langara Falcons men’s and women’s teams have been working hard and both are optimistic about the upcoming year. Coach Mike Evans, who has coached the women’s team since 2002, says they are in excellent shape. With only six returning players, this team is expected to have a new style that Evans is excited about. “Our returning players from last year are all very strong and we have some good rookies,” he said. “We'll be a small team, but we’ll be fast and ag- gressive.” Among the returning players is De- nise Busayong, who was selected to the PACWEST all-rookie team last season. As far as other teams are concerned, Evans is only worried about whoever they’re playing next. His strategy seems simple enough: taking it one game at a time. “Our goal is to be the best we can be,” he said. “We've got a hard-working group.” The men’s team is also in good hands. This is coach Paul Eberhardt’s first year at Langara, but he has an ex- tensive background. He has been coaching both high school and college basketball for over thirty years. Overall, the team has a lot of depth this year. “We have 11 returning play- ers,” Eberhardt confirmed. “That’s not usually the case.” With both Brody Greig and Jeff Chu as point guards, Eberhardt believes this team will have one of the best backcourt combos in the league. He also expects Elliot Mason, a six- foot-five guard who only played half the season last year, to have a breakout year. The team’s ultimate goal is to win the national championship. “When I look at this group, I can honestly say that it is a legitimate goal,” Eberhardt said. “I think we have the talent and the ability.” Instead of dwelling on their upset loss against Capilano last year in the first round of the provincial champion- ships, Eberhardt says his team will use that as inspiration. “They’re highly motivated to get back and prove to everybody that they’re a strong team,” he said. “It’s nice to work with that.” NEXT games MEN'S SOCCER Oct. 6 vs. VIU 3:00 pm At Mariner Field WOMEN'S SOCCER 1:00 pm At Mariner Field All-star baller returns to lead Falcons Last season’s stand-out rookie set to continue her dominance as sophomore By TANYA HILL three, is swift on her feet, and an unexpected rising star in women’s college basketball. Playing guard for the Langara Falcons, Busayong was named to the PACWEST all-rookie team last season. Now 19-years-old and a human ki- netics student, Busayong didn’t always picture herself playing basketball. Thanks to the encouragement of her grade-eight basketball coach, she is now a serious contender in women’s college hoops. “T would have never thought to con- tinue with basketball if it wasn’t for her,” said Busayong. At practice her focus and determina- tion is evident - teammate Jesseca Eng is quick to praise Busayong, “She fuels our team with energy.” Coach Mike Evans has telling words about Busayong and her success, “She doesn’t get tired,” he says while zip- ping back and forth across the court. It’s hard enough for most students to balance school and maintain a social life; how does one fit in basketball as well? With only one day off from practice a week, studying human kinetics has been a natural fit for Busayong, “So far this year I have noticed that I am fo- cused and you just learn to make it work. I am learning stuff about eating well, sleeping right, and how hard to push yourself.” Another important part of striking a balance is her family. “My whole family comes to every game.” So how does it feel being named to PACWEST all-rookie team? “Tt felt good to come out of nowhere and prove myself. Because I’m so small Thad to make myself be recognized and I felt like I deserved it.” The Langara women’s basketball team is hard working, skilled and fun to watch. However women’s basketball still struggles to get recognition and to draw spectators. “Family and friends come out, but for other people it’s hard to make it out,” Busayong admits. This does not stop her from setting her sights high, “I hope to make the provin- cials top three,” she says confidently. D'= Busayong stands five foot Se — = TANYA HILL/GILLIAN HAMES photos Denise Busayong attempts a basket versus Langara alumni last Friday night in a practice game on campus.