Experience Powers Vanier Spirits To 6 - 0 Victory Versus The Central Cyclones
High School Girl Soccer Season Kicks Off
By Robert Thomas
Having more than half of their roster comprised of grade 12 students with plenty of experience powered the Vanier Spirits to a 6 to nil victory against the Central Cyclones in both teams season opening game.
The Spirits managed to use their skills to at times dominate the play by rushing and taking advantage of and forcing the play into the Cyclones end of the field.
“It was a really good game, an excellent start to the season,” Spirits head coach Daniel Atkins said to a student reporter’s question.
Central Collegiate goaltender Mila Kicanko dives for the ball while fighting off Vanier Collegiate's Ava Kindiak (left) as Spirits’ Hannah Hunter looks on - MJ Independent photo
Atkins was happy as his team - who for the most part had not done much running over the summer break - managed to put in a good effort.
“We had a good showing out there. We had a lot of positive things happen. A lot of good passing. And we were able to finish and score a goal quite a few times,” Atkins said.
Vanier was powered by two goals in the first half by Jaicee Maruska.
The second half saw Ava Kindiak score two goals with single goals added by Michaela DeCorby and Rylan Morhart.
Vanier Spirits Autumn Hennenfent (left) and Central Cylones Shaina Closs at midfield - MJ Independent photo
Cadence Olson from the Vanier Spirits (left) and Ayan Riak from the Central Cyclones run at midfield - MJ Independent photo
Vanier Spirit's Michaela DeCorby (left) rushes in to steal a toss in away from Ava Nichols - MJ Independent photo
Despite allowing in five goals during the game Central’s goaltender came out to challenge the Spirits offence resulting in numerous saves.
In the fourth quarter Kicanko suffered an injury and had to be carried off of the field - she did not return to finish the game.
Central Cyclones goaltender Mila Kicanko makes a save - MJ Independent photo
Hanna Hunter (left) from Central Cyclones versus Vanier Spirits Cadence Olson for the ball - MJ Independent photo
Asked if he was surprised by how the Spirits played Atkins said it
“It was what we worked at at practice. We were just able to execute it here,” he said.
The Spirts are comprised of almost all grade 12 students with a couple of grade 11 and grade nine students making up the roster giving the team plenty of experience.
The Cyclones on the other side of the coin have fewer than half of their team members in grade 12.
Central’s Michaela DeCorby (left) tries to catch up with Vanier’s Jaicee Maruska - MJ Independent photo
Ynah Ombawa (left) from the Vanier Spirits tries to get around Maerika Hutchinson from the Central Cylones - MJ Independent photo
“It’s a very different type of team this year. We have got a lot of skill on this team. We just have to get our cardio back up. We have got to do a lot of running so we can run the whole game. So we can play the whole game,” Atkins said.
Asia McCulloch (left) from the Cyclones tries to prevent Jaicee Maruska from the Spirits breaking aroiund her
Importance of a High School Female Soccer Program
Atkins said he felt offering high school female soccer was important.
“It is another sport for girls. There is girl’s volleyball and there is cross country (running) but it is nice to have another opportunity for the girls to play sports (in the fall),” he said.
“There is no football so having soccer I think is very important.”
It should be noted girls may try out for the football program and in Saskatchewan there has been and are girls playing in that male dominated sport.
OOPS…. sometimes mistakes happen. If you spot an error in the way we have spelt your or someone else’s name can you please write us at moosejawnews@gmail.com and we will gladly correct it. This is our first swim into high school sports from female hockey and the names are often new. We apologize for any misreading of names from scoresheets in advance.