TRURO - Ask any high school senior and they'll tell you they would like nothing more than to finish their high school sports career on a
winning note.
The players on the Cobequid Cougars boys and girls soccer teams are no different. Although this year there may be fewer Grade 12 players on both rosters than ever before, with just four on the boys team and three senior girls, that drive to win their final game will be felt no less by their teammates.
"We want to win provincials," said Ali Munroe, a captain on the girls team, speaking on behalf of fellow seniors Carleigh Hiltz and Kirsten MacLellan.
That drive to win is why the three girls, along with their male counterparts (Ryan Blaauwendraat, Andrew Myette, Tyler MacIntyre and Stephen Tattrie) took it upon themselves to step into leadership roles to make their teams better.
"We took it upon ourselves because we want to win," said
Tattrie, a centre midfielder. "We haven't won in awhile and I think we have the drive to do it and the
determination."
The boys side is looking to recapture the Northumberland region title after falling to the Northumberland Nighthawks in the semifinal last season. The CEC?girls are fresh off their first regional title since 1992 and are looking to earn a berth at the provincial championship.
The boys are competing at a tournament at Hants East this weekend, while the girls are at South Colchester Academy.
The seniors started playing the leadership role the first time they stepped on the field this season. Coaches asked them to show players the ropes, how to perform drills, let younger players know what's expected of them and what it takes to win at the high school level.
"They're definitely not afraid to ask and we're not afraid to tell them," said Myette, a fullback.
Although they are driven to win, the seniors also want to make sure their teams operate under a fun and relaxed atmosphere, knowing that type of environment is conducive to producing good results.
"We want to make sure that everyone's having fun and that people want to come out for practice," Munroe said. "We don't want anyone to not be having fun."
Munroe said making players comfortable allows them to have the confidence to take risks on the field.
"That's important," she said. "We want players to do those extra things and not worry about making mistakes. If they do they know we won't be upset and that they'll get it right the next time."
Taking the lead
Taking the lead
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Published on
September 10, 2009
- Published on January 1, 2010
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Matt Veno
Senior players step up as CEC prepares for new soccer season
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