Providence Pilots begin long pre-season soccer camp
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The Providence Pilots began their most comprehensive soccer pre-season ever Aug. 15, as the college is organizing eight exhibition matches in advance of the start of their competitive season.
Their season started with a pair of games against Manitoban club competition Aug. 15/16, and the teams are in Alberta this weekend for more games.
“I think it will launch us into the MCAC (Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference) season a lot better than what we’ve done in the past,” women’s head coach Tory Walker said after a 3-0 win over Phoenix FC Aug. 16.
“It’s something we’ve been asking for for years. It’s just a commitment from the institution to continue to give us more resources, which I think is great. The athletic program at Providence is only growing.”
Finding appropriate exhibition match-ups was an easy task for Walker, noting there are many teams looking to get in games during the fall pre-season.
“It’s great for recruiting, but I also think it’s great for team bonding,” Walker said.
“You get to know the group a lot better.”
The Pilots have been a set piece machine throughout Walker’s tenure, and there was a new wrinkle added during their pre-season game, with the potential target players during corner kicks all starting at the top of the box before splitting out to provide options to the kicker.
“Set pieces can be a game-changer, and I think everyone knows that,” Walker said.
“For me, as a coach I think it’s an important part of the game… It doesn’t hurt to have a set piece specialist like (Serena Negrich)… She’s one of the best set piece players in the MCAC.”
Providence’s women’s soccer team is returning 18 players to their roster, nearly unprecedented roster continuity for Walker. The team has come up short in Manitoba competition the last few years, falling in the finals five years in a row. The Pilots haven’t won an MCAC championship since 2014, despite a National Christian Colleges Athletic Association division two national championship win in 2022.
“The team’s up for the challenge, that’s for sure,” Walker said.
“We’re always one of those teams that will be hard to play against, so hopefully that doesn’t change. Obviously the end result is a nationals berth within the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association.”
Walker said the team will be leaning on their experience to try and peak at the end of the season when a championship is on the line. Providence fell in heartbreaking fashion to Brandon University, with star Ava Temple missing a game-tying penalty rebound late in the game.
The MCAC regular season will begin Sept. 6, as Providence hosts Brandon for a pair of matches. They’ll also play a pair of pre-season games against Manitoban competition Aug. 28 and 30 in Otterburne.