Finding the right fit

As the Muskie boys’ soccer team prepares for its season-opening tournament in Winnipeg this weekend, the coaches finally have the pieces in place for what they hope will lead to another NorWOSSA title.
Gone is talented striker Daniel Ribeiro but the man the Muskies hope will fill his shoes is newcomer Steve Keesic. In fact, assistant coach Benji Andrusco is confident the team should be able to replace Ribeiro’s offence.
“We finally have our roster finalized and we have somewhat of an idea where guys will go, especially the ones from last year, but we still have a few spots [yet to be figured out],” Andrusco noted yesterday morning.
“Steve Keesic brings a lot for us. First, he’s a team player who’s always looking to give up the ball but he also will shoot.
“He has the skill and he’ll help us up front.”
Also helping the team up front–and which may be its strength this season–is speed on their wings. Adam McTavish will play the left-wing striker position while Terry LaBelle will man the right side.
Both bring plenty of quickness and should put pressure on the opposing team’s defence with their quick pursuit on the ball.
“They work the ball good and they bring a lot of speed,” added Andrusco.
But a few more question marks begin to appear on defence. Gone are several key players from last year’s defensive unit, with very few returning.
Josiah Morris, who will play the centre-mid position, is considered a good two-way player who adds quickness and the ability to control the ball well in traffic.
Backing him up is veteran Colin Wielinga, referred to as the “anchor on defence” who will be joined by sweeper/stopper Jamie Algie and Eric Anderson.
The coaches feel both Algie and Anderson have showed “lots of promise” so far, and will be counted on to help solidify that defensive unit.
After that, the Muskies may have trouble fitting the right pieces into the puzzle on defence. They hope some players step up and grab those available spots with some strong play at this weekend’s eight-team tournament hosted by St. John’s Ravenscourt.
“We’re starting to mentally place some people and we have been going over some basics in defending and strategy,” noted head coach Keith Gilbert.
The Muskies open play Friday at 5:30 p.m. against Dakota, meet Tec Voc on Saturday at 11:30 a.m., and then wrap up pool play at 4 p.m. versus Miles MacDonell (all three games will be played at the St. John’s Ravenscourt field).
After this weekend’s tournament, the Muskies will host one May 7-8 and then travel to Kenora for a tournament the following weekend.
The NorWOSSA playoffs will be played in Dryden in late May.