2014 Women's Soccer
Head Coach Jon Crossland, along with his assistants Joe Crossland and George Lucas, seem to have built their team from the net out. Making a big off season acquisition bringing in Sami Jo Bell(Keeper), third year transfer from St. Mary's. She seems to have gelled with the team well, as they have only given up one goal in their four preseason games leading up to this weekends opener. The back line, of course, has also played a big part in their success in the preseason. From seeing many of the games last season I know that these ladies play tough defense and will come away with a few clean sheets this year. Scoring took a big hit with the news that Brianna Ford is not returning this year. She was an AUS all star and will be missed. The ladies did have a three goal outburst in one of their Preseason matches against Bishop's. Lauren Cubbon, Ellen Arsenault and Emily Sarty all got on the board. A game in which Brittany Carroll(Keeper) got the win, and will hope to keep pressure on Sami Jo for top performances.
With not many changes from last year this team should do much better than their 4 wins, 7 losses, and 2 ties. Solid defense, sharp transitions and sticking to the system the coaches are bringing will likely make sure that happens. I see this team in the playoffs at the end of their Regular Season and looking to make waves against those Nova Scotian powerhouses Cape Breton, along with the rest of the AUS conference teams. Good Luck to the Ladies!
2014 Men's Soccer
The coaching staff from this team must be proud of their accomplishment last year. Playing great as the hosts of the CIS Men's Soccer Championships and walking away with a Bronze medal for their efforts. Miles Pinsent, David Rouse, Ken and Barry Morrison along with George Lucas will be looking forward to this regular season no doubt. It should be repeated that they won the AUS title last year, marching strong into nationals.
Coach Pinsent has one of those great problems starting from the Keeper position. Two solid contenders to start. Aaron McMurray and Brandon Eagle both started games last year, both had clean sheets but both have had to battle injuries. No matter which one gets the start each match you can rest assured you are going to get 100% from either. McMurray did shine brightest last, as he had pivotal saves in the shoot out versus York at CIS Nationals last year. The back line will miss Yassin Chehab El Din who graduated last year. If my math is right though Ben Law and Jason Rouse should be back from the Bronze medal team to keep things tidy in front of the net.
Through the middle is where I think this team should shine this year. Four players in particular should really cause fits for opposition defenders. Diego Padilha and George Lawton could turn into a dynamic duo of holding midfielders. They in turn will look to free up Marcus Lees and Oliver Jones who will attack teams down both sides of the pitch with pace and precision. I think you will hear a lot from these four this year and if it is positive the sky could be the limit. At striker this may be the year of the "Glasgweigen" Robert Park, but whoever does end up starting at the front should expect a decent diet of good service from the midfield.
Other changes include the losses of Yousuf Mohammad and Amir Razak, both of whom played mostly at the striker position last year so that may be the weak point of the squad. This was a dominant side last year, going 8-2-3. They were AUS regular season champs along with their AUS Banner and CIS Bronze, so they have lofty heights to climb to get back to last years success. I think this team has the potential to get back to those same standards though. Good luck to the Men, and of course #GOVREDS!
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