Source: ACC Blog
The 2018-19 Assiniboine Community College Cougars kick off the season on Sept. 15 as the college’s soccer teams take the pitch in Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference action.
The women’s squad, coached by Mark Murray, will host the Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) Blazers on Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. at Optimist Park.
“We’re excited about our team this season,” Murray said. “Our team will attack and put pressure on the other squad but we will also be strong in the possession game.”
Three of the team’s first-year players include Kendra Mansoff, Jerra Green and Felecia Dowset.
Mansoff, who played with the Brandon Sirens and Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School teams, is a striker who will add balance to the Cougars attack.
“I have watched Kendra play in the Brandon women’s league for the past couple of years and have been very impressed,” Murray said. “She plays at a high level and is extremely hard working on pitch. Her skill will only raise the level of our team and I’m really excited to work with her this year.”
Green is also a striker who played in the Westman Women’s Senior Soccer League with the Brandon Cyclones. “Jerra will be a frightening player to play against,” Murray said. “She is a two-footed player who likes to shoot with her left foot which makes her very hard to defend against. I think she will be unstoppable this year for us.”
Dowset, a keeper from Minnedosa, will provide experience between the posts. She was part of a Minnedosa Collegiate program which has fed a number of players into the Cougars’ system. She won provincial championships in 2016 and 2017, and was named the provincial all-star keeper in 2015 and 2016.
“She brings a winning mentality with her from her success at the high school level and her talent will be a great addition to our squad,” Murray said.
After hosting CMU in the season opener, the Cougars will get right back to action the following day (Sept. 16) in a battle of Wheat City squads. The Cougars play the Brandon University (BU) Bobcats at 1 p.m. at the university.
Soccer game days will be doubleheaders throughout the season as the women’s games at 1 p.m. are followed by the men’s team competing at 3:15 p.m.
Bo Kampmann is the coach of the men’s team which opens the season against CMU on Sept. 15 followed by a game against BU the following day.
Kampmann expects the Cougars to field a strong team which will rely on its balanced midfield to control the tempo of the game.
Returning player Theo Bosc will be relied on to take another step on the pitch after an impressive rookie campaign last year.
“Theo will play fullback or midfield for us and as a returning player we expect that he will bring his experience and calm mannerisms to the team,” said Kampmann, who is in his fifth year as head coach of the Cougars.
Both teams have high expectations with the aim of having enough success during a 10-game regular season to compete at Final Four in Winnipeg at the end of October.
For a full schedule of games visit assiniboine.net/athletics.
