MR2
Our WOLVES MR2 are Valiant!
By: Jahleel Baay, Team Manager
Game played July 8th, 2024
Our Wolves MR2 team traveled out of town to Dochart Field to play against one of the top teams in their division, the Arnprior Spurs. When describing a team’s success, or sometimes lack thereof, I keep hearing about ‘the process’. The ability for team members to combine their skills to achieve collective goals. That’s a mouthful. Our MR2 team is in its first season and I believe with their leadership and enthusiasm that they will see more on-field success very soon.
Despite the outcome of this game, they made a courageous effort, with no complaints. They were led by their ‘Player of the Game’, Gareth Butler.
WOLVES 0
SPURS 7
MR4
Our WOLVES MR4 are Dialed In!
by Team Manager, Tony Zito
Game played July 9th, 2024
First of all, thank you! It was a BIG ask for all of you to play on a historical evening for our Men’s Canadian National soccer team. With Jameson Bevington hooking us up with a live video feed of the game (again, thank you), our attention was split between the task before us on the pitch and the result on the screen. Although we hoped for our Canadian boys to pull off a miracle, we are still proud of them for getting this far in their first Copa America.
The biggest compliment a team can demonstrate to their opponent is to field a completely different and more competitive team in the 2nd leg of their League play. After our previous result against this Internationals team, we knew they were not looking to get embarrassed again and they needed to field more skilled players.
With their competitive level raised, they were pressing early. We defended well but we needed to score the first goal. And we did on a quick spin move and well-placed strike by our Carlo Zito. The half ended with our slim 1-0 lead.
Our second goal was highlight-reel worthy. A beautiful, perfectly weighted cross from Kevin Periera that Joe Catanzariti met with authority, and BOOM, just like that, they were in disbelief. What a beauty! The tenacity of Kevin Ridgway and Dylan Tessier added to our goal total to put this one to bed.
I wrote about their compete level. Now let’s briefly write about ours.
We know that we had a level of confidence against this team. It’s not a bad thing to have. We’ve earned it. Teams are looking up at us in the standings and they’d like nothing better than to topple the table leaders. But what I also noticed is that, yes, we have the confidence, but we’re void of the cockiness! And I appreciate this immensely.
Our ‘Player of the Game’ was Dylan Tessier who was a presence on the pitch all night and scored an important goal to extend our lead.
His chosen celebratory song was ‘Not Like Us’ by Kendrick Lamar! Very cool!
WOLVES 4
INTERNATIONALS 0
MR3
GAME CANCELLED!
Our MR3 team’s game vs. the Gloucester Hornets was canceled due to inclement weather and it will be rescheduled at a later date.
Wheeeeeee !!!
WOLVES 0
WEATHER 1
OT1
Our WOLVES OT1 Overcome by Injuries!
by Team Coach, Mark Burger
Game played July 12th, 2024
The second half of the season kicked off under bright conditions, with sunny skies, a strong lineup, and the visit of a beatable opponent. We also witnessed the season debut of Peter Worthing in goal. For 15 minutes, the Wolves enjoyed dominance but could not take advantage on the scoresheet. Then 60 seconds of madness occurred, and the skies darkened with accompanying rain and hail-filled clouds. A late tackle by Jeff Dennis triggered a violent and over-the-top reaction from our opponent. Our Dom Morgante stepped in to defend his teammate, which the Ref clearly saw. When the dust settled, Perth earned a yellow and Wolves a red, creating a disadvantage for the rest of the match. It really should have been yellow for yellow or red for red.
The Wolves, to their credit, hung in there all game, even dominating the match for significant stretches. Pete saved everything he could get his hands to, the back four of Corey, Juan Nicolas, Mike Owen and Kay mopped up most danger, Eamon tormented opposing midfielders, with great tackles, and the attackers had plenty of chances to threaten their keeper.
At some point during the hailstorm, however, Timon Gareau went down with an injury, followed by a recurrence of Liam Smithies hamstring problems, reducing the bench to one player. Mike Popeil earned and scored a penalty and Mike Owen put away another penalty, but the 2 goals were not quite enough against the 3 scored by Perth. Juan Carlos actually tied the match with a header, which unfortunately, ricocheted off his arm before going in.
Mike served up some delicious post-game chili, accompanied by cold bevies and a buffet of desserts. He was also pleased to award the ‘Player of the Game’ to Juan Nicolas, his partner in the heart of defence, who put in a masterful display after many weeks at goalkeeper.
WOLVES 2
PERTH SAINTS 3
OT5
Our WOLVES OT5 Inspired Start Falls Just Short!
by Team Player, Adam Black
Game played July 12th, 2024
One need not look any further than the league standings and a previous head-to-head matchup between these two teams to learn that this was very much a winnable game for our OT5 Wolves. With the Carleton Place Rangers in town and the rain just passing through, things were looking… slippery… but they were also looking up for our OT5 Wolves!
Trailing 2-1 at half-time, the Wolves felt they could claw their way back and gathered some regained confidence after having been reminded of their win earlier in the season against the same CP Rangers. A swift kick in the backside from our goalkeeper, followed by an immediate inspirational speech from Player Coach, Mark “Chipper” Jones, had the boys firing on all cylinders out of the gate during the early goings of the second half. And it wasn’t long before the Wolves found themselves leading in the game, by a score of 3-2.
Unfortunately, the bubble burst and the Wolves quickly found themselves in what has become undesirable, yet familiar territory; another blown lead and back trailing in the game. Teams traded goals later on as the second half opened up, including a fabulous strike from wily veteran Mid-fielder, Blake “the Snake” Pope, but it was another tale of coming up short for our OT5 Wolves with the game ending in defeat.
As nominated by “Sono Otoko” himself, the Wolves ’Player of the Game’ was Amedeo Melone for the continued, selfless use of his body during the onslaught of offensive Rangers attacks in the game, and where he was several times successful in thwarting their opposition strikers!
It’s another tough matchup next week, regardless, this Wolf pack will keep on howling!
WOLVES 4
CP RANGERS 6
OT6
Our Cooler Heads Prevail!
by Assistant Manager, Jamie Harris
Game played July 12th, 2024
Another solid ‘W’ against a Bears team that was pressing very hard physically and mentally. This game didn’t exactly capture the spirit of the beautiful game, but all that matters is who has the most goals scored after the final whistle. We seemed to keep our heads better than the Bears, took and gave some lumps, and ultimately held strong to close out what was a very temperamental game. That’s a 3rd straight victory for our Wolves.
We have a little bit of a longer recovery this week with a six-pointer away game against the 3rd place Korean Whitecaps on Sunday at Valleystream field.
Highlights from our game on July 5th vs. Lynwood Red Stars can be seen here in it’s entirety. Thanks to our MR3 Team Manager Roozbeh Manesh for providing this coverage.
A trio of ‘Players of the Game’. Great hustle and contributions from Mahdi, Jamie, and Ada. Well done Boyz!
WOLVES 3
OTTAWA BEARS 2
MOT4
Our Wolves MOT4 SLOG ON !
by Team Manager, Charles Vincent
Game played July 12th, 2024
Last Friday night saw another solid team effort that resulted into a well-earned three points for our MOT4 Wolves. The score was already 2-1 for our squad upon my arrival from the airport. I understand Bill’ McIntyre’s goal was particularly nice and I’m sad to have missed it. The humidity was heavy and the field still quite wet so the play overall was fairly slow and laboured. We did not make it any easier on ourselves as we squandered several good scoring chances, many of which were harder to miss than finish. Nevertheless, Oscar Arrieta got on the end of a lovely through ball from Bill and Jefferson Daughtery potted his second of the game to make sure the result was beyond doubt. Bill’s two assists and one goal earned him ‘Player of the Game‘.
WOLVES 4
LE DYNAMO 1
Enjoy the rest of the week.
FORZA WOLVES
