Muskie girls battle to second place

The second exhibition tournament of the season was another eye-opener for the Muskie girls’ soccer team last weekend, when they earned a second-place finish–and an ‘A’ in handling tough physical play.
More importantly, they gained a wealth of experience as they head into NorWOSSA tournament play later this week in Dryden.
The Muskies were edged 1-0 by Maples on penalty shots (5-4) in the final of the Kelvin Invitational City Tournament in Winnipeg. Head coach Struchan Gilson said the Maples’ players were aggressive–perhaps a little too aggressive for his team’s liking.
“They were not as skilled as us but were physically intimidating and I think we were intimidated,” he admitted.
But Gilson added he was proud the team never retaliated and faced the ire of the referees. “It was a good experience. We never played a team like that.”
Despite the loss, the Muskies enjoyed a solid weekend, beating St. John’s Ravenscourt (Winnipeg) 2-1 and Westgate (Thunder Bay) 6-1.
They advanced to the final with a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Kenora Broncos in the semi-finals when Muskie striker Chrissy Thomson ended it three minutes into overtime.
The Broncos had fought to tie the game on a broken play late in regulation time.
The game-winner was one of five goals Thomson scored over the weekend, with Sarah Noonan adding two. Those two have accounted for 19 of the 32 goals scored by the Muskies in their two tournaments so far.
Gilson also noted first-year players Megan Canfield, who started for injured centre-back Sarah McTavish, and Amanda Allan both played hard-nosed games. And while they’ve given up costly goals in penalty time, Gilson said their team defence is running strong.
“I’m proud of the fact that we haven’t given up a goal in ‘free play,’” a term the retired teacher described as clean defensive breakdowns.
The Muskies are now gearing up for the first NorWOSSA tournament May 11-12 in Dryden. “We’re a more skilled team now and we’re going to get better,” said Gilson.