VOYAGEURS SHOW LOTS OF HEART DESPITE LOSSES TO TOP TEAMS
EDMONTON, LAC LA BICHE & FORT MCMURRAY – The numbers aren't flattering: three games, three losses, outscored 39-0. And yet, Macky Singh doesn't have trouble finding a silver lining in the three games the Portage College Voyageurs Women's Soccer Team played this past week. The experienced and decorated head coach has been preaching patience and fundamentals for his rookie-laden squad since the start of training camp this summer.
Facing the top squad in the division with no bench players available due to injuries yielded a predictable result on Wednesday in Edmonton. The Thunder rolled to a 15-0 win over the young and inexperienced Voyageurs, with both Angelina Saporito and Vanessa Pietramala scoring hattricks in the game. After the match, Singh underlined a message he's been preaching all year, noting that he's not focused on the score but on the process.
"Our ladies did the best they could and worked hard. That's all I can ask for," he said. "We're looking at individual improvements and collective improvements bit by bit and that's basically what I saw but obviously, there is a big gap between ourselves, and the opposition and you know, Concordia were very, very good."
Saturday's rematch in Lac La Biche started off much the same way as the first game, with the Voyageurs coming out as cold as the blustery weather. By the 29-minute mark, the Thunder had a commanding 8-0 lead, and things were looking a bit bleak. But then the Voyageurs dug deep and proceeded to keep the league leaders off the scoresheet for 40 minutes before allowing a few late goals in a 12-0 final. Pietramala led the way with three goals, while Ada Rudyk and Abigael Burton added two each for the Thunder.
"The first 30 minutes, we were really, really, really, really flat but then the players started clicking ad they did well after that," said Singh. "And then the second half, they were really good….The ladies did really well."
The Voyageurs didn't have much time to analyze the game as less than 24 hours later, they were on board an early morning bus, heading up to Fort McMurray to take on the Keyano College Huskies. The second-place team in the North showed its teeth, chewing up the scoreboard and besting the visitors 12-0. As they had the previous day, the Voyageurs started slow but played better as the game went along. Reached on the bus on the way home, Singh was complimentary of his players.
"The 11 healthy players we had went out there and worked hard….They've showed small improvements each time, which is all we can ask for," he said.
October 2:
- Portage: #14 Natasha Charley
October 5:
- Portage: #19 Soul Dachuk
October 6:
- Portage # 12 Allison Shapka
