BY SCOTT
HADDOW
The Sudbury Panhellenic women's team is on fire and burning
teams up in the Ontario Women's Soccer League (OWSL).
The squad has stormed out to the top of the standings by
earning four wins, two ties with no losses early in the 2006
season.
Their 4-0-2 record leaves them tied for first place in the
12-team provincial league. The team has also outscored their
competition 13-5 during their tremendous start to the 2006
season.
Pretty impressive stuff for a team that competes mainly
against opposition with population bases much greater than here
in Greater Sudbury.
Sudbury will host a critical match up today.
The squad faces Peterborough City. Game time at the James
Jerome Sports Complex (JJSC) is 3 pm. Monday's game, against
Toronto Central at the JJSC was cancelled.
Sudbury isn't planning on being favourable hosts for either
home contest.
"It just wouldn't be sports if we weren't trying to win the
game this weekend," said head coach Joe Persi. "We will be
looking for the girls to continue adapting their positions and
roles as they have each time out in a way that can counter what
the other teams will throw at us."
Making sound plays and adjusting to the strengths of
their opponents will be key to keep the unbeaten record alive.
"We have to make sure we have the right players in the right positions and they adjust depending on the type of game Peterborough gives us," said Persi. "Team communication on the field is always something that needs work. "This means calling for the ball, yelling encouragement, backing a player in trouble, calling for support and calling plays in a way that prevents a problem rather than criticizing it."
Chemistry, like on all good teams, is driving the players to
success through six games early in what promises to be a season
to remember.
"I believe we're doing so well because, in addition to
having very skilled players, all the girls get along both on
and off the field," said veteran Lauren Mirabelli. "When
selecting players for our team, we looked for girls that had
the right personality to fit in...girls who were team players."
The women know the right recipe to keep up the success this
weekend.
"Basically, we have fun," said Mirabelli. "We definitely
want to win, but most importantly, we play because we love it
and that contributes greatly to our success. All the players
contribute in different ways, and we all appreciate each other
as individual players."
Sudbury knows they're sailing in rather uncharted waters.
"We're the first team from Sudbury to compete in the OWSL
women's division," said Mirabelli. "We're currently one of the
top teams. This is a great way to get Sudbury soccer recognized
in southern Ontario. We have surprised some teams."
The fact the players are mature and most have jobs , also
makes coaching a pleasure because they listen to what the
coaching staff has to say and they want to succeed individually
and as teammates, he said.
If the winning continues, Persi is hopeful his talented
squad will soon be able to attract a larger and more loyal fan
base.
All soccer fans are welcome to attend the weekend game over the Canada Day holiday weekend.
