High expectations as Championship looms

Meet Kyle. He likes writing about sports. He also believes in a no-holds-bar approach when talking about it. Beware, it’s time for ‘Eagles Watch.’

By Kyle Benning [Sports Bureau Chief]

After last year’s provincial championship and national bronze medal, the women’s soccer team was labeled the “team to beat” for the 2010 season.

However, the Eagles picked up a new coach in Gordon Smith, a man who has been in the game for more than 30 years.

For many teams, a change of coach would be a problem. But the transition seemed to go smoothly as the women won their first three matches.

However with the team’s recent mental lapse and lost to UBCO and Douglas, the strech saw them pick up four points in as many games.

That stretch has cost them in the front seat in their group, which is also a first-round bye in the BCCAA Provincial Championships. The good news is that they can still finish at the top of their group.

The Eagles go on the road and take on Kelowna on Oct. 23 to play the current leaders, UBCO.

A win is the only option if the women want to finish at the top of their group and enter the provincials, which the Eagles are hosting, at the semifinal stage.

Even if the women beatUBCO, they will need to beat Thompson Rivers the following day. They will also need some help from Douglas in ensuring the Heat settle for a draw, if not lose.

Since the tournament takes part over a span of three consecutive days, I’m sure the Eagles would love to have the first day to rest, and play a team who had a match the previous day.

After all, only one team from the BCCAA division qualifies for the nationals. So a second provincial title is crucial if the women want to go to Edmonton.

One point worth mentioning is that Kathleen Gratz will not be able to play for a few matches.

She was sent off in the 2-1 win against Langara over a controversial call from the official who claimed that Gratz was throwing elbows.

It is a shame because the first-year player has looked very strong and knows how to hold the ball and bring the midfield into the attack.

The men’s team should take notes, because she is the ideal centre forward.

Speaking about forwards, Eagles striker Shanay Sangha is in the running for the BCCAA Golden Boot award and has put away 6 goals in 10 matches.

At the other side of the pitch, Melina Gomez has been keeping the score sheet pretty tidy and is in the running for the BCCAA Golden Glove award keeping seven clean sheets so far this season.

Coach Smith should feel proud of what he has accomplished this year, despite the high expectations. He will need to rally his troops for a last minute push to try and get the best position possible for the upcoming championships.