News Releases

Men’s Soccer

Soccer action for the men’s side saw Providence play back-to-back matches against the always skilful but unpredictable Voyageurs from St. Boniface. The Providence Freemen started Saturday’s home game with 50km winds at their backs which made ball control difficult. Yet, in the 34th minute, it was the wind that played a part in Prov’s first goal when goalie Eder Torres earned his first assist of the year with a long punt eluding the CUSB defense and Mario Giesbrecht running through to score the only goal of the half.

Fancy footwork by Norvin Campos (Sophomore)

In the second half, the Freemen had more possession and scored within 6 minutes as Mario’s took a long-range free kick that was juggled by CUSB’s goalkeeper before finding the net. A typical ‘Andry Giesbrecht’ left footed strike put Prov up 3-0 on 66 minutes. Soon after, Matt Antonio (Sophomore) fed Joel Janke (Junior) inside the penalty area and despite his two efforts being blocked, the Freemen midfielder scored his first of the season with a third shot.

With less than 10 minutes left, les Voyageurs got on the scoreboard when Ibrahim Kamite shot unopposed as the Freemen mistakenly thought play had been stopped for a substitution. CUSB rounded out the scoring in the last few minutes with a goal by Ayoub Akbali. However, it was too little too late for les Voyageurs who went home on the wrong end of the 4-2 score line.

Coach Martin gives credit to the St. Boniface squad who “are a hard team to play against—they are fast to the ball and disrupt our rhythm, so I was very happy to be 4-0 up.” Martin admits that to concede 2 goals in the last 15 minutes was disappointing but he knows his team is young and is learning every game. He adds, “this was another lesson learned.”

The Freemen started Sunday’s game (Whittier Park) against CUSB in the best way possible. On two minutes, Jon Janke (Freshman) passed to Norvin Campos (Sophomore) on the left side of the penalty area where his sweet left footed shot found the corner for his first goal of the season. Campos almost scored a second shortly after, but this time his shot was just wide. CUSB retaliated and took a 2-1 lead at the half with goals by Ayoub Agbali and Shaiku Dialluo.

Midway through the second half, Campos scored his second goal with a spectacular 25 yard free kick to tie the game but a perfectly placed shot just under the crossbar from Abdul Aziz Gueye gave the Voyageurs back the lead. The Freemen refused to give up and found Mario Giesbrecht who floated a long free kick to the far post where brother Andry headed it back into the far corner of the net to end the game 3-3.

Weekend Noteworthy Stats:
Mario Giesbrecht -2 goals, 1 assist; Andry Giesbrecht -2 goals; Norvin Campos -2 goals; Joel Janke -1 goal; Eder Torres -1 assist; Matt Antonio -1 assist; Jon Janke -1 assist.

Women’s Soccer

In other soccer news, the Providence women’s team defeated Red River College (3-1) Friday evening on the Rebels' campus. It was only four minutes into the game, when Annemarie Kaethler (sophomore) crossed a pass inside from the right side to Allison Dueck (Junior), who controlled the ball and put it around the goalie for a 1-0 lead. Near the 16th minute range, the Red River Rebels were rewarded a penalty and used the opportunity to tie up the game. And two minutes later, the Rebels sent a through-ball to Red River’s #14 (Stephanie Bourgeois) who ran on and chipped it over Prov’s goalkeeper (Kristi Larson, Sophomore) for a beautiful finish.

Annemarie Kaethler (Sophomore) with ball control

By the 40th minute Providence senior, Ruth Shantz, brought forth an aggressive performance winning several balls and then making a run on the right field to shoot the ball to the far post in what seemed an impossible angle. Shantz deservingly found the net with outstanding finesse and tied up the game 2-2.

In a display of domination, Providence went on to play very strong offensively in the second half. On 83 minutes, Dueck passed several defenders with some fancy footwork and sent the ball through the middle of the 18 to find Annemarie who one-timed the ball to the back of the net. This was the final goal that iced the Lady Freemen’s 3-2 triumph over the Rebels.

Coach Calla expressed much pride for his team’s ability to put aside several tough calls and remain strong in their performance. He comments, “I was so impressed by their mental toughness and discipline—half the battle was trying to stay in the game mentally and not get down on some of the calls.” Calla was pleased to say his team “kept their focus and didn’t get caught up in their emotions.” One motto of his: ‘Sport does not build character, it reveals it’ was certainly put to the test this game.

Next game action will take place in Minneapolis, MN as both soccer teams travel to play North Central University and Faith Baptist on Thursday and Friday, October 6 and 7th, respectively.

Weekend Noteworthy Stats:
Allison Dueck -1 goal, 1 assist; Annemarie Kaethler -1 goal, 1 assist; Ruth Shantz -1 goal.