VOYAGEURS PASS THE TEST IN PAIR OF WEEKEND EXHIBITION MATCHES

LAC LA BICHE – A heartbreaking loss against a top national team and a convincing win against a worthy opponent – not bad weekend's work for the Portage College Voyageurs. Macky Singh's troops put up a valiant effort against l'Université de St. Boniface on Saturday afternoon at the Bold Centre Soccer Field, losing 4-3 on a penalty kick in extra time, before besting Assiniboine College 3-0 on Sunday. Portage's head coach was pleased with his players' level of play.

"You know, I loved out game yesterday, " said Singh, a day after the loss to Les Rouges. "St. Boniface is a top team in Manitoba – they went to nationals last year – [and] we were very, very competitive…The intensity, the speed, everything in that game is exactly what we're looking for."

Dallas Dick, Ridwan Olatunji, and Taylor Bridger scored for the Voyageurs, who fell behind 2-0 but battled back to take a 3-2 lead before giving up a pair of late markers to St. Boniface.

Twenty-four hours later, the Voyageurs grabbed the lead early and never relinquished it, controlling large portions of play against Assiniboine College and playing a sound defensive game. Bridger and Olatunji potted their second markers of the weekend, with Youssef Shedeed also finding the back of the net.

"Today was a good opportunity to play again, get our fitness up…and try to see what it is that we need to improve upon," said Singh. "We dominated the game quite a bit but at the same time, we've also got to understand that these games are probably going to get tougher from here."

Next up for Portage is a trip down south to play Ambrose and Olds College next weekend. Singh is looking forward to hitting the road and playing some teams the Voyageurs don't normally see much of.

"That will be another couple of good games against south teams…That will once again test out our tactical side but also our fitness level as well," he said.

Players of the Game – August 16

Université de St. Boniface: Hamed Njoya

Portage College: Johann Bohard

Players of the Game – August 17

Assiniboine College: Jofet Sandoval

Portage College: Gourgy Akuei