Joey Payeur
The NorWOSSA boys’ soccer landscape has been bathed in black-and-gold for six illustrious seasons.
But the Muskies don’t plan to rely on luck to make it seven–just hard work.
“It’s exciting but obviously there is an expectation and pressure put on the team,” said head coach Chris Sinclair, whose six-time defending NorWOSSA championship squad kicked off its exhibition schedule with three games here over the past week.
“I think every year is a new year,” Sinclair noted. “We are very happy with the team we have this year, but at the same time, we don’t know what [Kenora] or Dryden have.
“We obviously have goals for this team and, yes, one of those goals is to make it to OFSAA.”
Sinclair had two new hands on board to help him guide the team.
“I’m very fortunate to have a great coaching staff helping me out this year with James Pavier and Mike Sande,” he lauded.
“They are doing a great job working with the guys developing various skills, as well as more positional play,” he noted.
“I think we have a great mix of guys on the team this year and, yes, I think the potential is there to keep the streak alive.
“Having said that, it’s never going to be easy to win a NorWOSSA championship,” Sinclair stressed.
“Everyone wants to be the team who ends a streak, so keeping this going is going to be a challenge that we, as a team, are very excited for.”
The Muskies blanked the Rainy River Owls last Thursday, with Cam Lidkea getting the goal and rookie keeper Jacob Albright earning the shutout.
“With guys like Max Williams, Ian Jodoin, and Kevin Metke from last year leaving, there is obviously some roles to be filled,” Sinclair admitted.
“This year, Cam will be relied on for goal scoring,” he noted. “He’s got a great touch and control with the ball, and has a great shot.”
But he also stressed that Lidkea can’t do it alone.
“Guys like James Gushulak, Aaron Bujold, and Ethan Jourdain who are going to be playing in the middle will be expected to contribute offensively, as well, whether it be scoring themselves or setting things up,” Sinclair said.
“We have a lot of speed down our wings with Nick Hahkala, who has been very impressive during the first week, Grade 9 rookie Cole Magill, and returnee Christian Audette.
“Up front, Joey Angus [who didn’t play Thursday’s game due to personal reasons] has just recently joined us, as well,” added Sinclair.
“As a ‘victory lap’ player, he will be relied on a lot,” he noted.
“He [Angus] has great ball skill and tremendous speed, as well as many years of experience.
“We will be relying on our stopper/sweeper combination with Chase McGuire and Liam Metke to take care of the defensive zone, as well as chip in offensively,” Sinclair continued.
“Liam has a great feel with the ball [while] Chase is not only a workhorse, he is exceptional with the ball.
“He is someone who is expected to be up and down the field and contribute in both ends.”
The Muskies then hosted the St. Thomas Aquinas Saints (Kenora) in a doubleheader Sunday, winning the first 1-0 on a goal by Metke and then losing 3-0 in the rematch.
Cole Kowalski got the shutout in the morning game while Albright took the loss in goal in the second one.
“I think we are very fortunate to have the goaltending combination that we do with Cole and Jacob,” said Sinclair.
“We are very confident with either of them in the net on any given day.
“Obviously, Cole is older and has that experience,” he noted. “He’s got great poise and is a fantastic keeper.
“I think he’s doing a great job helping Jacob, and getting him to feel more comfortable and confident in himself,” Sinclair added.
“Jacob did a great job in his first start versus Rainy River, making some huge saves to allow us to win the match.
“As for how much work each will get, I don’t really know that for sure,” he admitted.
“We’ll see how things are going, I guess, but like I said, we as a coaching staff are very comfortable and confident with whoever we put in net.”
The theme of veterans helping newcomers is something Sinclair expects to see in all other areas of the field, too.
“I think experience goes a long way with any team,” he remarked.
“We have six Grade 9s on the team this year and those older players will be relied on to help the young kids along the way.
“All of our veteran players have the experience of playing at OFSAA and know what it takes to get there,” Sinclair reasoned.
The Muskies next head to a tournament this weekend in Winnipeg hosted by the St. John’s/Ravenscourt Eagles.
Their first NorWOSSA games will be next Wednesday (May 3) at Fort High, as both the Dryden Eagles and Kenora Broncos come to town.
The NorWOSSA playoffs are set May 24 in Kenora, with the OFSAA championships slated for May 31-June 3 in North Bay.
