Millar Edge bring futsal back to Swift Current

The Millar College of the Bible Edge men and women hosted an Alberta Colleges Athletic League futsal tournament in Swift Current this past weekend as they began their second season in the league.

The womens’ team finished with one tie and four losses in their first action of the season.

“We are just getting into our season so I think they did quite well to adjust to the teams that are playing, especially the ones from Alberta, they have obviously been playing a little longer,” said coach Phil Ruten. “I was really pleased with the way they pulled together.”

Ruten said the Edge women have almost a new team this season.

“We are going to have to learn how to score. We have a very hard time scoring, so I think that is the big thing right now. I think defensively we do okay, but we are going to have to learn to get that ball in the net.”

The Edge men finished with one win, one tie and three losses.

“We were definitely competitive,” said Ruten. “Other than this last game where we got shellacked by the Swift Current team, I think we were wore out but they were just that much better than every- body. But against the other teams I was really happy about how we played. We showed we are certainly competitive in the league and we can cer- tainly play with them. We will see what happens when we get to the finals.”

The Edge men have had the benefit of playing in the Swift Current Mens Indoor Soccer League this season.

“It has been a huge help to them. It has been great for them to be able to play in this league here. It has helped them to improve considerably,” said Ruten.

It was the second straight year Millar has hosted an ACAL futsal tournament in Swift Current.

They were joined by the Ambrose Lions and the Prairie Pilots as well as mens’ and womens’ teams from Swift Current. The Swift Current women fin- ished second with a 2-1 record behind Ambrose, while the Swift Current PSC men won all three of their games.

“It is great to be here in Swift Current close to home and have a couple of local teams play. I think that was a real bonus to have these teams come be a part of the tournament. They obviously did very well,” said Ruten.

The Edge men and women will play in the ACAL Finals in Three Hills and will also play in two indoor tournaments against different teams.

Photo by Steven Mah A pair of Millar Edge strikers tried to bull their way through a Swift Current defender during Saturday’s final game of the women’s ACAL futsal tournament at the Stockade.