Pushing the pace

Island’s under-15 boys eager to go toe-to-toe with country’s best in Edmonton

This Island team won’t be sitting back and allowing the opposition to dictate the game.

“We’ll be pressing teams and playing toe-to-toe with them,” said Mark Caudle, head coach of P.E.I. F.C.’s under-15 boys’ soccer squad. “We are an exciting team . . . to watch. We’re pretty dynamic that way.”

They won the Nova Scotia league again this summer and play even more of a run-andgun style than 2018.

And Caudle said they have no plans of changing one bit this week in Edmonton, where they are competing in the Canada Soccer Toyota National Championships Under-15 Cup.

While sitting back and defending can sometimes be effective, some people find it dull and boring. Caudle sees the uptempo play more rewarding.

“I think the kids appreciate it and they enjoy going toe-to-toe with the teams,” he said.

Caudle said P.E.I. has depth throughout the roster and noted the guys are healthy and fit.

The squad has three returnees from last year’s roster.

Tony Nguyen started as the squad’s holding midfielder a year ago and resumes that role this season. Will Campbell and Lachlan MacEachern came off the bench in 2018 but are now key components on the backline. They play with composure and their veteran experience can be key in big-game situations.

The team practised Sunday and Caudle could sense the excitement building. They flew to Edmonton early Tuesday and were scheduled to head to West Edmonton Mall before checking into their hotel.

“It’s basically all business after that,” Caudle said Monday night.

They are in a pool with the Alberta and Nova Scotia representative. Halifax County finished second in the Nova Scotia league behind P.E.I. F.C. The teams split their two games on the final weekend of the season and will play each other today.

“That’s going to be a big game,” Caudle said.