Soccer and hockey were front and centre as Labour Day weekend subsided to a whole slew of local sporting activities in September of 1993.

It was ten years earlier that the Laurentian Voyageurs' men's soccer team culminated an improbable playoff run with a national title, a 2-1 overtime win over the McGill Redmen in Sudbury a product of a game-winning goal from Paul Smith.

Making a return to the bench after a one year hiatus, Greg Zorbas acknowledged that the 1983 team was not as deep as some of the teams he has had since. "There wasn't even a substitute goalie," said Zorbas. "But the team had tremendous leadership, especially from the veteran players."

Preparing for the start of their OUA season a decade later, members of the 1993 Voyageurs would be honouring and celebrating those who accomplished the ultimate goal. As the new season approached, L.U. would take to the field with two of the top scorers in the entire country in the form of Nick Milanovich and James McLaren.

Zorbas believes, however, that his current squad is more balanced, with veterans John Lazardis, Neil Craig, Todd Sindrey, Chris Vanhaverbeke and Lee Goodwin all expected to contribute significantly and keeper John Kowal making a return to the team after spending a year in Europe.

On the ice, the Sudbury Wolves would welcome newcomers and returnees alike to training camp in anticipation of a 1993-1994 season that ultimately produced a record of 34-26-6-0 under head coach Glenn Merkosky and assistant coach Todd Lalonde.

The early days of camp would see import forward Zdenek Nedved looking phenomenal, with Sean Venedam, Andrew Dale and Barrie Moore all classified as very good and veterans Ryan Shanahan, Mike Wilson and Rick Bodkin and others having benefitted from a good summer of work.

A 5-4 pre-season win over Soo Greyhounds improved the Wolves record to 2-0 as Andrew Dale netted the game-winning goal with just 30 seconds remaining, finding the back of the net exactly 57 seconds after the Hounds Steve Zoryk had deadlocked the contest at 4-4.

"The veterans were used sparingly and we went with a lot of rookies", noted coach Lalonde. "They were impressive again - especially the line of Mark Giannetti, Mark O'Donnell and Andrew Dale."

Giannetti and O'Donnell scored early to give Sudbury a 2-0 and when the visitors fought back to make it 2-2, Steve LeCoure and Ilya Lysenko restored the two-goal advantage, as the Wolves pulled this one out of the fire late.

The reality was starting to sink in for Sudbury soccer star Brian Ashton, the 18 year old only a week away from leaving for England - birthplace of his father, Ron - and week-long tryout with Sheffield United of the Premier League.

"I'm really nervous about tryouts," confessed Ashton. "I've got a week to shine and show them what I'm capable of doing." Either way, the plan at the moment is to remain in the U.K., regardless of the outcome and give professional soccer a shot.

While local golf sensation Vince Palladino was taking a crack at the pro ranks, friend and fellow Idylwylde member Stefan Pernu became the first Canadian to golf at Radford University in Virginia.

Pernu can boast no less than 17 junior and high-school tournament wins to his credit - and also reached the semi-final of the Championship Flight of the Idylwylde Invitational in the summer of 1992.

Sudbury Downs are just one win away from taking the Sudbury & District Ladies Fastball League crown after beating Zaps 5-2 to take a two games to one lead in the best of five finale.

Louise Duke picked up the win on the mound for the Downs while Wendy Parisotto was tagged with the loss. Tracy Atamaniuk came through with the key hit for the winners, an RBI triple in third inning which plated game winning run. Kim Brisebois was 2/4 at the plate for Zaps.

Chief organizer Bucky Belland and a slew of volunteers were preparing to welcome a total of 130 teams from across northern Ontario to Sudbury as the nickel city played host to the 6th annual Molson's Northern Ontario Slo-Pitch Tournament.

Aapproximately 2000 players would be in town as the event determined champions in the Men's B/C/D divisions, the Mixed C and D brackets as well as in Open Women's play, with some 285 games in total on the schedule.

And still with hosting, Sudbury hockey folks successfully bid on the 1994 Ontario Peewee Hockey Championships taking place on Easter weekend at the newly unveiled Countryside Sports Complex.

While a chairman had not yet been finalized, SMHA Executive Director Dave Makela noted that Lionel Courtemanche was expected to tackle the role, the same one he managed so well with Bantam provincials two years earlier.

in mid September, 18 year old Brian Ashton leaves for England - weeklong tryout with SHeffield United of tghe Premier League - intends to stay in England and give pro a shot - Ron is from England

I'm reallyu nevrous about tyrouts - I've got a week to shine and show them what I'm capable of doing