Bruins soccer teams kick off season with twin wins

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAVID PELOSI

Both of Sheridan’s soccer teams opened their seasons with impressive wins on the pitch this past weekend that included a hat-trick from a Bruins striker.

Rain proved to be a challenge for the Lady Bruins on their first away match of the season as they defeated the Redeemer Royals 2-0. Saturday’s rain would clear up in time for the men’s game. They beat the Royals 6-1.

Lady Bruins head coach Paul Angelini knows all too well that with only eight games this season, there is no room to make up for lost games. “It begins right here, right now, eight games, eight wins, we host the playoff game, we’re hosting Ontario’s, we’re winning the gold – one game at a time, one minute at a time, everybody got it,” said Angelini.

Team captain Kendra Cooper would open the scoring in the 58^th minute by outrunning the Royals defense, capitalizing on the short side. Jaclyn Hart put the game away with a second goal in the 67^th minute, with an impressive strike from outside the penalty box. “Took us a whole half to start playing the way we do,” said Cooper, who looks to define their team’s chemistry in time for their next away game against the St. Clair Saints on Sept. 14.

The men’s Bruins captain, David Velastegui, a former player for the Canadian national team, opened the scoring early in the first half with a bullet shot.

Redeemer answered back in the 20^th minute to tie the game. The Bruins stepped back into action and increased their lead by two before half time with goals from Nicholas Lindsay and Velastegui. The Bruins showcased their offensive strength in the final 10 minutes when Lindsay buried his hat-trick goal in the final minute of the game.

“I always try to be humble, and play my heart out as much as I can. It was definitely a team effort. We really got the ball rolling, we got the goals that we needed,” said Lindsay, already with three goals under his belt and looking to add more next away game against St. Clair Saints on Sept. 14.

Velastegui was pleased with the team’s effort. “We came out hard, we’d been working well through pre-season,” he said. “It’s only going to get better from now on, we’re hoping and looking forward to the next game.”

Velastegui suffered an ACL injury four years ago while playing for the national team. “Now I’m back, I’m healthy. It has been affecting me a little bit, but now I feel confident, well on the field, and just anxious to get this season going,” he said.