Joey Payeur
Two down and Chris Sinclair isn’t feeling very down at all.
The head coach of the Muskie boys’ soccer team was impressed with his charges after opening the NorWOSSA regular season with a 3-1 win over the Dryden Eagles and then a 2-0 shutout of the Kenora Broncos here last Wednesday.
“Obviously, we are pleased with coming away from Day 1 with two wins as it puts us in a good spot moving forward,” Sinclair said.
“I think both games we played pretty well, for the most part.
“If I had to compare games, I would have to say overall our second game was probably the better of the two,” he added.
“I think the goal of any team is to get better each day or game, and that was the case,” Sinclair noted.
“We were more sound defensively, moved and controlled the ball a little better, and were able to generate more chances by using the width of the field.
“As we play more and more together, the boys are able to get more comfortable with each other and generate some chemistry,” he reasoned.
Nick Hahkala was turning heads in his Muskie soccer debut with two goals against Dryden and the game-winner in the first half versus Kenora.
“Like I said before, Nick has been very impressive so far this season and that didn’t change any,” lauded Sinclair.
“He has a lot of speed, good ball skill, and obviously a very nice shot.
“Two of his goals were generated from supporting the ball from the outside and cutting into the middle,” Sinclair noted.
“I think with Nick, he’s very dynamic as he can use both feet, which makes him so effective, especially playing on the left side.
“He’s a great all-around player and continues to improve,” he remarked.
“The fact that he’s only in Grade 10 is unbelievable as he plays like he’s a senior player.”
Cam Lidkea had the other goal against the Eagles–wiring home a second-half penalty kick after getting dragged down by two Dryden players in the 18-yard box.
Joey Angus knocked home Liam Metke’s free kick in the second half to seal the win against Kenora.
Jacob Albright shut out Dryden in the first half while Cole Kowalski allowed only Adam West to knock one past him.
Kowalski then recorded the shutout in playing the full game versus the Broncos.
“I think it’s important to realize that you’re not going to shut out every team in every game,” Sinclair stressed.
“I thought we played well defensively,” he noted. “The one goal we allowed was a miscommunication with our defenders, allowing their player to get through and getting a good shot on net.
“Cole made the initial save but couldn’t hold on to the ball,” Sinclair recalled. “I don’t think it was anyone’s fault, just goes to show how important communication is.
“Other than that, we did a great job defending,” he said.
“We did a much better job staying in front of their players and jockeying rather than lunging and jumping at the ball carrier.
“Having said that, I thought we controlled the ball for the most part of both games, and it’s easy to defend when your team has the ball and when we lost possession, we did a good job taking away their time and space,” Sinclair added.
Dawson Allen missed the Kenora game due to injury, but was expected to return to action when Fort High travelled to Kenora today to once again face the Broncos and Eagles.
The Muskies then return there for the eight-team Broncos Challenge Cup tournament this Friday and Saturday.
