For the love of the game, players put up with a lot. For the love of the team, they can achieve a lot more.
The Burnaby Canadians have set their sights on advancing up the Metro Women’s Soccer League’s Select Division after being dropped to the B side for this season.
And at 3-0-1 so far, Burnaby is wearing their ambitions on their sleeves.
“We are looking to win our division and move back to select A,” remarked assistant coach Jim Barazzuol of the main focus for 2016-17. “Also, coming second in cup play last season for all the select divisions still is not sitting well.”
As a group, Burnaby is use to being more than just competitive. In a 10-year span under coach Doug Wilson, the squad rang up a provincial title and numerous league and cup wins. Wilson retired after last season, and Daniel Fernandes has taken over with an aim of returning to the top table.
“(Fernandes) has transitioned from player to now coach. He has brought a new style and formation to the team which utilizes the strengths of the players,” remarked Barazzuol.
The team’s leadership flows from captains Angela Melville, Jen Martin and defender Lesley Hill, with a solid core having been together on the pitch for nearly 13 years.
While the lone blemish so far, a 3-0 loss to Dasmesh in Week 2, was reason for concern, the team replied with two wins to sit tied for second in the eight-team league.
Two weeks ago they blasted TSS Red 5-1, getting a hat trick from Sandy Young and singles by Else Bouchard and Laura Ng. Most recently, the C’s edged Westside 2-1.
The team’s next game is Oct. 16 against Croatia SC in Coquitlam.
