Voyageurs Strike Early But Fall to Ooks

LAC LA BICHE – The bookends were fantastic; it was the middle chapters that didn't go as well. The Portage College Voyageurs Men's Soccer Team kicked off their ACAC regular season schedule with a 5-2 loss to the visiting NAIT Ooks at the Bold Center Soccer Field Saturday afternoon.

In a fast-paced, entertaining match, the Voyageurs raced to a quick 1-0 lead, with Mukire Kiroro notching the team's first goal of the season at the 13 minute mark. The Ooks showed why they are a perennial soccer powerhouse, however, notching the next five goals, with the NAIT Player of the Game Cristian Lima netting two. The Voyageurs played hard until the final whistle and managed to creep a little closer on the scoreboard, with Portage Player of the Game Walid Elaaji scoring a beauty in the 81st minute.

"It was a good game," said Voyageurs Head Coach Kika Mikuninwa after the match. "We started off well, we finished well but of course at this level you have to play the entire 90 minutes well so we have some work to do there." He noted the Voyageurs team speed – one of his squad's strengths – was neutralized by NAIT's sound structure throughout the game. "The opposition also had speed so as soon as the game becomes fast, it's a question of how you communicate," he explained. "It takes split-second decisions and those come through repetition and training so we all have a better understanding of where we're going to be positionally."

The Voyageurs will get a chance to practice their structure right away as they travel to Lloydminster to play Lakeland College on Sunday. Their next home game is next Saturday, September 25 against The King's University. Mukuninwa believes his troops have a lot to build upon from their battle with NAIT. "From last year to this year we definitely improved and more importantly, their work ethic was there and the attitude and positivity was there so I was very proud of the boys," he said. "I'm looking forward to the next game."