The Innisfail Junior Senior High School (IHS) Cyclones soccer team will be battling it out for a playoff spot in their next home game on Friday, June 3 at 4:15 p.m.
The team is currently sitting with a record of 1-2 in their first three games of the season having lost one game to Red Deer’s Lindsay Thurber and taking a tough loss against Olds during the season home opener.
“We should have won that game (against Olds) we actually had a few own goals and had a few missed opportunities,” said Narsh Ramrattan, IHS vice-principal and head coach for the team, adding that despite the few errors the team played fantastic.
The Cyclones lost the match against Olds with a score of 7-4. They did however take home their first victory of the season against Alix winning 7-3.
So far this season the top goal scorers have been Taylor Nesterchuck, Darion Grymalowski, and Mike Phillipoff, all with three goals apiece.
Ramrattan said that there is a good mix of experience as well as new players this season with five Grade 12s, 10 Grade 10s and 11s, and one Grade 9 student.
One of the top players on the team this year is one that many of the opponents don’t usually see coming. As one of the only mixed teams in the league often the other teams see the girls and think they are going to be able to rack up the score, said Ramrattan. However, with her good footwork and strong midfield play Sydney Daines, who plays club soccer in Red Deer, has surprised a lot of opposing players with her good all around play, said Ramrattan.
“She has really helped our attacking play and has set up a few goals for us.”
There are four girls on the Cyclones soccer team this year.
