Local soccer squads make jump to provincial competition

There’s a buzz in the air as the local competitive soccer season draws near. With teams and individuals taking on new challenges, ongoing player movement and the backdrop of the potential amalgamation of rep soccer in Sudbury, there is always a glut of interesting story lines to be followed.

A total of three girls teams from the area will make the jump to the ranks of the Central Girls Soccer League (CGSL) this year, each with their own unique route that they have ventured to date.

For coach Kevin Roach and the Panhellenic Storm U16 ladies, the 2010 campaign represents their second kick at the cat. In 2007, the group was accepted into the fold at the U13 level — the most difficult jump to make given the framework of top-end soccer in Ontario.

The Ontario Youth Soccer League (OYSL) represents the pinnacle of competitive youth soccer in the province, but the league commences play beginning with the U14 level. Meanwhile, the CGSL (and its male counterpart, the CSL) form divisions beginning at the U12 age grouping.

Northern Ontario teams entering league play in southern Ontario at U13 find themselves facing the best of the best in the province — an extremely challenging standard given the acknowledged fact that this area must play catch-up, in terms of skill development, at the grassroots level to many more soccer-crazy districts in Ontario.

Not surprisingly, the Storm found themselves relegated out of CGSL play, but far more optimistic about remaining more than competitive within the nine-team league they now must face.

The team will feature a solid core of defending talent, as provincial candidate Jenna Hellstrom teams with sweeper Gabby Conrad and centre defender Mariah Clarke to form an imposing final wall for opposing strikers.

This area will be critical as keeper Alex Ross, showing plenty of early potential, remains limited in terms of experience at this level. The team’s long-time starting goaltender, Emilie Bouchard, has decided to focus heavily on her sprint kayak training, though she has signed with the Storm and will help out whenever possible. Up front, striker Tiana Faubert will be asked to carry the load.

Accepting the toughest challenge at the local level are the Sudbury Canadians U13 girls, as coach Ted Leck and company advance by virtue of their NRSL (North Regional Soccer League) championship crown claimed last August.

With the talent pool in this age group split between three very solid programs, Leck is keenly aware of the road that lies ahead, one that will undoubtedly involve a few bumps and potholes along the way.

As for the Greater Sudbury United U14 ladies, chances are that they’re pleased just to be here. After dropping a 3-2 decision in their September challenge match with Whitby, it appeared that the CGSL dreams would be put on the back burner for one more year.

But an Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) decision to amend the format for the do-or-die game to better reflect the teams moving to the OYSL and CGSL within the U14 age bracket, gave way to an appeal from United coach Andy Charsley; one which was eventually accepted by league officials.

This team could well prove to be the most competitive of the three, bringing together the bulk of the top 1996 born girls in the region.

Former Valley East keeper Renee Bigras returns to the fold, while Canadians alumnus Mackenzie Bell will hopefully add some scoring punch, while Courtney Smith will anchor the midfield.

In other local soccer news, the top young male prospect in the area appears set to head south for the summer. Michael Marcantognini has committed to join up with the Mississauga Falcons U14 program, playing within the OYSL this year.
Another prospective provincial program talent, Marcantognini is making the right decision, according to someone who has been there before. “He has a real legitimate chance of staying within the provincial program if he plays regularly at that level,” former soccer pro Brian Ashton said.

Ironically, it was the Mississauga Falcons program that also provided Ashton with his first taste of elite provincial competition, a few years back. “It’s almost like he’s travelling down the same path I did.”

Ashton is hopeful that local talents Jenna Hellstrom and Veronica Mazzella might continue to make their mark on a larger stage, while speedy Canadians’ striker Cloe Lacasse is sure to attract a great deal of interest from NCAA scouts over the next year or two.

And for every challenge within the Sudbury soccer community, there remains a ray of hope. Competing at the OSA Regional Spring identification tournament recently, Isaac Oliveira became not only the youngest player ever to suit up with a Region 6 Northern Ontario squad, but also the youngest to score a goal at the event; all while facing players mostly two years older.

Randy Pascal is the voice of Eastlink Sports and the founder of Sudbury www.Sports.com.