Muskies claim top seeds

Both the Muskie boys’ and girls’ soccer teams earned the top seedings at their respective NorWOSSA tournaments today and tomorrow in Kenora after action in Dryden over the weekend.
Despite a few potholes–literally–along the way, the Muskie girls blanked St. Thomas Aquinas (Kenora) 2-0, tied the host Eagles 0-0, and then beat Sioux Lookout 4-1 and Red Lake 7-0.
“With the rough field, it was hard to run any kind of attack,” said Muskie head coach Struchan Gilson, who also noted his team’s improved play deeper into the tournament.
“That’s part of the game and you have to learn to adjust.”
Chrissy Thomson once again led the way with five goals. Nicole Rogozinski and Sarah Noonan each scored twice while Trista Barker, Shannon Kovel, Jessica Wilson, and Carling Barton added the others.
The team, which now sports a 7-0-1 record against league teams, went into today’s NorWOSSA tournament in Kenora an extremely confident bunch.
But even though the team has tradition on its side, winning 10 of the last 14 NorWOSSA titles, Gilson is leery of the host Beaver Brae Broncos.
“They play at a very intense level,” he admitted. “And intensity can override the best of skill.”
Meanwhile, the Muskie boys were perfect in Dryden, blanking St. Thomas Aquinas 6-0, edging Dryden 2-1, and then downing Sioux Lookout 6-2 and a tough Red Lake squad 4-1.
They enter action today with a perfect 8-0 record against league opponents.
Adam McTavish paced all scorers with seven goals while fellow centre midfielder Jamie Algie added three. Rounding out the team’s offensive output with a tally apiece were Nathan Miller, Mark Mercure, Rick Ricard, Kyle McTavish, Bryce Witherspoon, Jeremy Wilson, and Brian Chambers.
(The Muskies’ sixth goal against St. Thomas was uncredited because the Saints had scored in their own net).
Dan Poperechny played all the games in goal for the Muskies.
“I’m happy on how we start games,” said head coach Rick Chambers. “If we play our style of game [in Kenora], we should be OK.”
The girls took on Sioux Lookout and Dryden in pool play today while the boys square off against Sioux Lookout and Red Lake.
The semi-finals are slated Thursday, with the top team in Pool ‘A’ meeting the second-place team from Pool ‘B,’ and the top team from Pool ‘B’ meeting the second-place team from Pool ‘A’.
The two winners will meet in the finals later tomorrow, with those winners moving on to the NWOSSAA showdown.