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SURREY, B.C. -- Thomas DeMarco is grateful to get another chance to lead the B.C. Lions. Now its up to him to show he deserves it. The second-year quarterback has had his share of ups and downs since taking over from injured starter Travis Lulay five weeks ago. He led the Lions to back-to-back road wins in his first two CFL starts, but has struggled the last three games -- all losses to division rivals. Still, the Lions will go with DeMarco again when they host the Edmonton Eskimos on Friday night. "Youre going to have tough things youre going to push through and the fact that I got the nod, it means a lot to me," DeMarco said after Tuesdays practice. "I want to work through my difficulties, as any quarterback would like to, and Im happy that I got that opportunity." The product of Old Dominion University did a good job of managing the ball in his first two starts, completing 39-of-65 passes for 435 yards and four touchdowns against no interceptions. In B.C.s three straight losses -- including Saturdays 35-14 blowout in Regina at the hands of the Saskatchewan Roughriders -- DeMarco was a pedestrian 49-for-95 passing for 677 yards to go along with four TDs and eight picks. And while Lions head coach Mike Benevides agreed DeMarco hasnt been at his best of late, he added that the 24-year-old gives his team the best chance to win. "Right now Thomas is still the guy that takes the first snap because hes shown an ability to make those plays," said Benevides. "Theres been some regression, but any young guy is going to go through tough times, especially at the quarterback position. "If you ask any quarterback, theyre going to ask to fight through those things and appreciate the fact they were given the opportunity." Lulay, who has been out with an injury to his throwing shoulder since Sept. 15 and was originally expected to only miss two weeks, performed a bit of soft toss on the sidelines during Tuesdays practice but nothing more. "Im kind of at the mercy of the symptoms," said Lulay. "I push it to where I know I need shut it down and hope to continue to progress." The Lions (9-7) host the Eskimos (3-13) on Friday in a game that means nothing in the standings, but a lot to the teams psyche. B.C. is locked into the West Divisions third seed with two games remaining, and will be on the road to face either Saskatchewan or the Calgary Stampeders when the post-season begins. If the Lions are going to make any noise in the playoffs, two strong outings to close out the regular season will be critical. "I want us to go out there and play like we know we can," said DeMarco, who threw four interceptions against the Roughriders. "Weve put quarters together, weve put halves together (but) we havent put a whole game together. Im sure if were able to do that well turn some heads." If they dont, its not like Benevides is out of options if DeMarco continues to struggle and Lulay remains on the shelf. Buck Pierce, a member of the Lions from 2005 to 2010, was acquired from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last month as an insurance policy. The 31-year-old has seen limited action in his return to B.C., but said he will be ready if called upon. Benevides doesnt want to have to make that move, but added the time is now for DeMarco to step up after a disappointing performance against Saskatchewan. "Its important and critical for us and for him to make sure that when he goes against the Edmonton Eskimos, he shows right off the top that hes learned from it, hes focused and he has the ability and the capability to understand where the offence asks him to put the ball -- thats his job," said Benevides. "Its vital, not only for us but for him, to get it right." . The 19-year-old from Westmount, Que., was edged 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-3 by third-seeded Alize Cornet of France. Cornet broke Bouchard twice in the last set and saved six break points in the three-hour match. . Pretty good hitting, too. Dan Haren pitched six innings and sparked the go-ahead rally with a single, leading Los Angeles to another win over the skidding Atlanta Braves, 4-2 on Tuesday night. . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. .com) - Matt Beleskey has helped give the Anaheim Ducks some scoring depth and hell look to stay hot on Wednesday night when his club hosts the struggling Philadelphia Flyers. . "I love the game, its the best job you can have," he explained Tuesday as the players left Joe Louis Arena for the summer. "Ill sit down with my wife and well go from there. WINNIPEG -- The Canadian womens soccer team will get another chance this year to try and beat the United States when the rivals meet May 8 in Winnipeg. Canadian midfielder and Winnipeg native Desiree Scott is thrilled the team will play in her hometown for the first time since 1990. "Im beyond excited," she said. "Ive been waiting for this day to come." Canada lost to the No. 1-ranked Americans 1-0 in Texas on Friday and hasnt managed to beat them since 2001. "Obviously we didnt play our best match but we had our opportunities in that game and I think were inching ... closer to the Americans," said Scott, a member of the 2012 bronze-medal Olympic team. Winnipeg has already been named as one of the six host cities for FIFA Womens World Cup in 2015, but fans in the Manitoba capital wont see the home squad in that competition. Canadian head coach John Herdman was also on hand for Mondays announcement and said the team has been in a talent development and refocusing phase since the Olympics, which is starting to show results. "Last year was a huge learning curve for the team and we did all right but this years about stepping forward and I hope when we play the big teams we can get a (win) and that should put us in a good place heading into 2015," he said. "The opportunity to beat a team that hasnt been beaten in 12 years by Canada? Man, the scripts already been written I think.dddddddddddd." The Canadian team, which is ranked seventh in the world, is announcing its friendly schedule piecemeal and will make a stop in Edmonton on Tuesday. Scott said shes anxious to play in front of friends and didnt shy away from trying to twist a few arms to ensure a good crowd at Investors Group Field, the home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. "Its going to be a great game and I hope all of Winnipeg comes out," she said. "You really have no excuse not to be there." Scott currently plays for FC Kansas City as part of the new National Womens Soccer League. Meanwhile, a new study predicts womens World Cup soccer events this year and next in Canada will create about $337 million in overall economic activity. Six provinces will get a share, ranging from a high of $80 million in Alberta to a low of about $26 million in Manitoba. Tournament games will also be played Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and New Brunswick. Most of that $337 million will be generated by Womens World Cup, with about $70 million coming this year from the under-20 womens World Cup. Winnipeg wont see any under-20 action this year. The preliminary report prepared by the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance looks at out of town visitors, capital construction costs and the costs of hosting competitions. It said the net economic activity for Canada would run about $169 million. ' ' '
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