Full steam ahead
Holland College men’s soccer rolling early in the season going into today
Holland College is a bit of a juggernaut right now on the soccer pitch.
At 4-0 and atop the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association standings, the Hurricanes can add two more wins this weekend as the squad hosts St. Thomas (0-2-2) on Saturday and UNBSJ (0-1-2) on Sunday.
Game times are 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively, at the Terry Fox Complex in Cornwall.
For second-year winger James Briand things are just clicking with the ‘Canes.
“We’re moving the ball great. We’re doing the little things that we need to do,” said Briand, who is second in team scoring with five goals. “We’re going in for 50-50 balls, making the right passes. We’re physical and fast and a well-positioned team.”
The juggernaut description is apt. Holland College is the three-time defending ACAA champ and has six conference crowns in the last eight years.
This season, Holland College is scoring at a six goals a game average with 24 total goals. That leads the league. No other teams is in double digit yet. ‘The Canes also have the lowest goals against with four.
Striker James Mallard sees the squad as balanced, though he’s not looking past St. Thomas or UNBSJ.
“We’re moving the ball back to front (and generating) lots of shot opportunities. We’re keeping possession, keeping the shots up front. I think we have the best defending midfielders in the league,” said Mallard, who added St. Thomas has a more varied attack than UNBSJ. “UNBSJ is more direct. So we have to shut down their keys players up front.”
All of this is fine, but the big prize is a national title. At the nationals, Holland College hasn’t been as successful, finished eighth twice, seventh once, sixth once, fifth last season and second in 2011.
For head coach Jonathan Vos correcting those numbers with a title is the main thrust.
“We always talk about the next level, how it affects our training sessions. We have to make sure our habits are good all the way,” said Vos. “At the nationals it’s 90 minutes of intense play. We have to put that (understanding) into our games.”