Algonquins slated to compete in regionals

courier-sports

Saint Andrews  – “They’re the little engine that could – there’s no quit in them.”

That’s how David O’Leary, assistant coach of the Sir James Dunn Academy Algonquins girls soccer team describes the heart and the effort put forth from the squad during the season.
“Our girls have battled really hard, and we’ve been in every game that we played. We either lost by one or won by one. The girls were very competitive,” O’Leary said.

“They’re a very young team and the seniors that we have are great leaders, so it’s been a really fun team to coach.”

The Algonquins finished the regular season with five wins, two ties, and three losses.

“I’m so pleased with the effort that the girls have put in games,” O’Leary said.

“It’s been a well rounded effort – there hasn’t been any one person that’s been the most dominant. It’s really been a group effort; a real team effort.”

The motivation and effort from the members of the Algonquins during the regular season has qualified the team for regionals, slated for Saturday.

As the Algonquins prepare, O’Leary said the plan is to keep it simple.

“[We want to] become committed to our plan; keep the ball to the outside, feed it through to our speedy forwards, get the ball to the net and just be focused and be ready for whatever happens.”

The Algonquins will meet Nackawic in a must-win game – the winner will move on to compete in a match with the winner of a Hartland and École Samuel-de-Champlain matchup.

“The Nackawic team, based on their scores, is going to be very impressive, so we have a challenge in front of us- and hopefully we’ll be up to that challenge.”

Captains Erin Clarke (senior) and Mia Scalabrin (Grade 11) echoed O’Leary, and said the team is “motivated” and both agreed they were happy with the season.

“I think we’ve gradually gotten better,” Scalabrin said. “We work as a team and a lot of the teammates are really close.”

The Algonquin’s season came to an end during regionals in the previous season, but Clarke said having that experience should aid the team this year, and said she felt the team can “keep playing the way we have been.”

“Our system right now is working.”

The Algonquins are slated to travel to Nackawic to meet the Nackawic Night Hawks Saturday at 10 a.m.

Kate Scott

Quickly approaching her third year with the Courier, award winning journalist Kate is not only an outstanding sports reporter and photographer, but can tackle any subject sent her way. A native of St. Stephen, Kate loves to cover the people and events of Charlotte County. She can be reached at 321-0746.