‘We need the six points’
A .500 Holland College women’s soccer looking for momentum with two wins
Transition is the key word for the Holland College women’s soccer team this season.
The defending Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association champ has several new players after key cogs like Kristyn Visser, Nicole MacInnis and last year’s MVP Briar Roberts moved on.
But the ‘Canes (2-2) aren’t without firepower. Sabrina Molnar, Nicole Ferguson and last season’s top offensive player T-Anna Fraser are back.
And Fraser returns to the lineup for the first time this season in Saturday’s homeopener against league leading St. Thomas (3-0-1) following her recovery from a concussion.
Game time is 1 p.m. at the Terry Fox Complex in Cornwall and Fraser sees the squad as learning on the job but she’s sure the ‘Canes are on par with the Tommies.
“We’re a younger team with only six players returning from last year and we’re still learning to play together,” said Fraser. “They’re a physical team… but 100 per cent (we can match their physicality). We have some physical players, too.”
It’s part of a two-game home stand for Holland College. Sunday it hosts UNBSJ (0-1-2) at noon in Cornwall so six points are set for the taking.
For Ferguson, who leads the ‘Canes with two goals, cohesion will take some time but she sees it happening.
“It’s a big difference from last year. There’s a lot of new girls and (we just played) only our fourth together. This team has potential. We get along, we like other,” said Ferguson. “Both are tough games. The weekend’s going to be a good test.”
Head coach Kris MacKinnon isn’t too worried. After all the ‘Canes sit tied with Mount Saint Vincent for second place and just four points behind St. Thomas with most of the season yet to play. And getting Fraser back helps plump out the lineup.
“I’m 50-50. I don’t think we’ve played our best soccer yet. It’s the first game for T-Anna… and we’re trying to gel as a team,” said MacKinnon. “Four or five games from now we’ll be a better team, playing our best soccer. I’m looking forward to the end of October.”
The Hurricanes women have won four ACAA titles and have finished sixth twice eighth twice and seventh once at the nationals.