Joey Payeur
The old adage that you can’t tell the players without a scorecard may never ring more true than with this year’s Muskie girls’ soccer team.
Two dozen players will suit up for Fort High as it looks to win a third-straight NorWOSSA title and once again advance to the OFSAA championships June 2-4 in North Bay.
The squad took its first step on that path today as the Muskies hosted the Kenora Broncos and Dryden Eagles to open regular-season action (games were incomplete as of press time).
“Yes, 24 is a bit higher than usual,” conceded head coach Sarah Faragher, whose team went 0-4 at OFSAA last year.
“[But] all 24 deserve a spot on this team, plus we have nine Grade 12s this year,” she noted.
Among the newcomers are ninth-graders Hailee Barnard, Alina Eldridge, Adyson Wilson-Hands, Pasquel Shortreed, Gwen Macdonald, and Janissa Judson.
Grade 12 keeper Moriah Carradice also is on board this year after the Rainy River resident attended Lake of the Woods High School in Baudette, Mn. last year.
She hopes to help another Muskie team to a NorWOSSA “three-peat” after doing so this past season as a blueliner for the Muskie girls’ hockey team.
The remaining nucleus of 17 veterans bring a vast array of experience to the pitch, with Faragher expecting them to mesh together with the rookies in no time.
“We have some great leadership on this team,” she stressed.
“They are hard-working, dedicated, and skilled upperclassmen who will be big-impact players in our league this year.
“Our biggest strengths will be in the middle third of the field,” added Faragher.
“The skill, possession, and decision-making of Claire [Hyatt], Erin [Tomalty], and Maggie [Jean] will be a huge asset for us this year.
“Overall, we are balanced and have depth everywhere on the pitch,” she noted.
“I have confidence in all lines [forward, defence, and goalkeeping].”
Speaking of the last line of defence, Bryanna Dustin is back after posting a second-half shutout coming off the bench in last year’s NorWOSSA final against Dryden.
That allowed Fort High to rally from a 1-0 deficit with goals from two other returnees this season, Myla Angus and Sydney Radigan, in the final 15 minutes to pull out the victory.
“Bryanna will have an integral role this season,” said Faragher.
“Although she is only in Grade 10, we will be counting on her for big games,” she remarked.
“I am confident she is up for the challenge.
“We are also hoping to use [Carradice] as a first-year Grade 12 keeper to help us between the pipes,” Faragher added.
“She has a tremendous work ethic and willingness to learn.”
Meanwhile, former Muskie stars Jess Caul and Sara Roach join a coaching staff that also includes returning goalkeeping coach and trainer Alison McIvor.
“It’s a very proud and humbling moment for me as a coach to welcome back my former players into a coaching role for the Muskies—this is the first time for me,” said Faragher, who now is in her eighth season coaching the squad.
“Jess and Sara are two of the most talented soccer players I have coached, and they bring a wealth of knowledge and skill to this team in their new role,” she lauded.
Maintaining the tradition of welcoming back former black-and-gold standouts to the fold is something Faragher attributes to the man who served as her soccer mentor when she suited up for the Muskies.
“We have a rich history with the girls’ Muskie soccer team and Struchan Gilson was the builder and longest coach for this program, starting in the ’80s through the early 2000s,” she recalled.
“It’s exciting to lead from his passion and example, and to continue to build on the foundation he set.
“Including last season [with Nicole Avis and Alyssa Faragher], we have a full coaching staff of all former Muskie girls’ soccer players, which proves this pride and tradition continues today,” Faragher noted.
“It’s important for girls to see women in leadership roles in sports and we as a coaching staff are grateful to fill that role.”
Faragher believed her team would come flying out of the gate this season, and had indications that would be the case during a 6-1 exhibition rout of the Rainy River Owls in a pre-season game here last Wednesday.
“We need to sharpen up on finishing, which always seems to be a focus for us, but our ability to build out of the midfield and cross the ball inside the box is very exciting,” she remarked.
“Our defensive line is building confidence, and working on communication and shape to ensure we seldom get beat.”
Faragher said the team is excited to see how its matches up again Dryden and Kenora.
“They are always tough opponents,” she warned. “[But] we have confidence and excitement going into the season and we have high expectations.
“We are motivated to make a third-straight trip to OFSAA.”
The Muskies head to Winnipeg for the St. John’s-Ravenscourt Eagles’ home tournament this weekend.
