Wolves Feast on Shorthanded Voyageurs

LAC LA BICHE – The Portage College Voyageurs Men's Soccer Team know from experience that trying to hold a pack of wolves down is difficult on the best of days. Trying doing it a man down for almost the entire game is almost impossible. The Voyageurs gave it a valiant effort but were unable to tame the Northwestern Polytechnic Wolves on Sunday at the Bold Center Soccer Field, losing 7-3 in a game that was close for long stretches.

Four minutes into the contest, Portage was down 1-0 and down their starting goalie, who was red-carded for an aggressive tackle outside of the box. And while they were able to put in a substitute goalie, the Voyageurs had to play shorthanded the rest of the game, down to 10 men. Despite the setback, they played a hard game and kept things close, trailing only 3-2 at halftime.  

"That's where the pride is," said Head Coach Kika Mukuninwa. "They didn't give up. Even though we gave up an early goal they fought back and it's those lessons where you just keep your head, stay committed to each other and really show that we can play, even with 10 men."

A three-goal outburst by the Wolves in four minutes in the second half sealed the Voyageurs' fate. Northwestern Polytechnic Player of the Game Nicholas Sheasgreen and Michael Athenas led the way for the Wolves with two goals apiece while Corwin Schieck, Fiston Kiese and Bjorn Goolie replied for the Voyageurs. Keagan Gauthier-Schaub was named Player of the Game for Portage.

Looking ahead to an Oct. 8 contest versus NAIT, Mukuninwa believes his troops can build upon a close 4-3 loss to the Wolves on Saturday and Sunday's shorthanded loss.

"It does make a difference playing a man short but we competed with them so it's really good to see," he said. "We'll be ready for next weekend."