Barry Wright
The Independent

Petrolia’s Mitchell McAuley has been chosen as co-Rookie of the Year for the Lambton College Lions men’s soccer side this season.
The announcement was made online since the college was not able to hold its annual in-person athletic awards evening due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Mitchell McAuley might be one of the best players we have seen at heading the ball, not because of his size, but because of his will and determination,” says the Lions coaching staff Shane Bettridge and Adam Lakey in a statement. “Going against defenders that often towered above him, his tenacity and desire to get the ball led to him scoring a number of tremendous and timely goals.
“Overall, Mitchell was our leading scorer this year. But more importantly, he seamlessly fit into the team structure, took on whatever role he was asked and provided an edge and spark that often motivated his teammates.”
The LCCVI grad led the Lions with four goals in nine games this season, including scoring both markers in a 2-2 draw against Mohawk last September.
He and his Lambton mates finished sixth this past season with a 3-5-1 record, qualifying for the OCAA playoffs for the first time in 25 years.
Surrendering a pair of second half goals, the Lions lost 3-1 to Oshawa’s Durham College Lords in the first round of the postseason, but were able to hold their heads high as Durham went on to win both the Ontario and Canadian college soccer championships.