A few tidbits for the Oxy sports weekend
By Michael Wells
Sports Information Director
FOOTBALL: THE "BATTLE FOR THE SHOES"
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Most people have pulled a prank or two in their day, but few can say a mischievous act they performed ignited an annual tradition still being celebrated 65 years later.
It is a claim a few members of the 1939 Occidental College football team can make though.
On the Thursday night prior to the Occidental and Whittier College football game in 1939, a handful of Tigers stole star running back Myron Claxton's cleats, forcing him to play in his work boots. Whittier got the better of Occidental that day, winning 36-0, and Claxton took back his shoes from the Occidental sideline following the game.
Seven years later, some Whittier students that belonged to the same Franklin society that Claxton was a member of, had the star running back's shoes bronzed into a trophy and the two Southern California schools have played for the "Shoes Trophy" in the "Battle of the Shoes" ever since.
With a 25-22 come-from-behind victory last season, The Tigers took the lead in the storied rivalry game series, 34 wins to Whittier's 33, and a 53-48-2 all-time advantage since the teams first meeting in 1907.
NEXT GAME: Saturday, at Whittier, 7 p.m. Video.
SIGNIFICANCE: The winner of the 68th "Battle for the Shoes" will take home Claxton's spikes and bragging rights for the year. With a win, Occidental could extend their lead in the "Shoes" series to two and open up SCIAC play 1-0.
GOTZ GETS THE NOD
Former Occidental College football player Justin Goltz took some snaps as the quarterback of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football league in a 25-24 loss to the Toronto Argonauts on September 24.
Goltz, who replaced the injured Alex Brink, went 3-6 for 36 yards and a touchdown pass.
Read the full story here.
Follow Goltz and the Bombers here.
WOMEN'S SOCCER: MINAMISHIN ON FIRE
Another game, another goal for Elissa Minamishin.
The Occidental College women's soccer player scored a goal in a 4-3 loss to Pomona-Pitzer
at Lower Field on Wednesday, making it seven goals in seven games for the Hawaii native this year.
CROSS COUNTRY: CLIMBING THE RANKS
The men's cross country team came in at No. 6 on the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association west region rankings, placing the highest of any SCIAC school besides No. 2 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.
NEXT RACE: Saturday, at the Pomona-Pitzer Invite, 8 a.m.
SIGNIFICANCE: With Occidental hosting the NCAA West Regional at Pomona-Pitzer on Nov. 12, Saturday will be an opportunity for both the men's and women's cross country teams to familiarize themselves with the course.
"It's a little bit like home field advantage if you've run the course before," Occidental coach Rob Bartlett said. "You know what to expect and those things can obviously enhance your racing tactics."
MEN'S WATER POLO: THREE MORE GAMES
The Tigers added three home games to their schedule; Iona on Oct. 13, Chaffey College on Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. and the Alumni game Oct. 29 at 5 p.m.
NEXT GAME: Saturday at Cal Baptist tournament. Follow the action at the tournament site here.
SIGNIFICANCE: The Tigers continue their search for their first win against more quality opponents.
MEN'S SOCCER: YOUTHFUL ENTHUSIASM
A total of 14 Oxy players are freshman and six are sophomores, bringing a refreshing energy and determined work ethic to the Tigers team.
"I love their attitude on off days they are working," Lafaurie said. "It's definitely the most talented group. Almost all of them come from phenomenal club teams that are used to winning.
NEXT GAME: Saturday, at Whittier College, 10 a.m. Video.
SIGNIFICANCE: The psychological aspect of having a "winning" vs. "losing" record. Oxy is currently sitting at 2-2 in SCIAC play.
VOLLEYBALL BACK IN TOP 25
The Occidental College women's volleyball team made their second appearance in the AVCA national top 25 coaches poll this week, cracking the list at No. 22.
The Tigers improved to 3-1 in SCIAC play after beating the University of La Verne 3-1 on Tuesday.
NEXT GAME: Friday, at Whittier College, 7 p.m. Video.
SIGNIFICANCE: Oxy has rallied off three three straight league wins, but after losing to SCIAC favorite Cal Lutheran in their first game, the Tigers need to continue winning to keep the first place Regals in striking distance for when the pair meet up again on Oct. 21 at Rush Gymnasium.
Watch Oxy home games live here.
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