Bullets win Westman Soccer League championship
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, September 17, 2013
By: Lanny Stewart
myWestman.ca
The Neepawa Bullets F.C. are this year's Westman Soccer League Division II champions, defeating the Dauphin Rangers 3-1 in the championship final on Sunday in Neepawa.
Graeme Wilson, the Bullets leading scorer on the year, would net his first of two tallies in the game approximately 17 minutes into the contest to give the Bullets a 1-0 lead. However, the Rangers wound up tying the game late in the first half on a penalty shot.
"You could tell we were nervous to kick off the game," said Bullets manager Kaiten Critchlow regarding the first half. "There were some errors made that we don't typically commit. Fortunately, we talked it out at half time. Our coach Daryl Critchlow also made some great substitutions and positional adjustments and we calmed down. We got back to our passing and possession style that put us back in the driver's seat."
In the second half the Bullets were able to overcome their early game jitters by retaking the lead on a goal from Ryos da Silva before Wilson would add an insurance marker later in the contest.
After a one-year hiatus, the Neepawa senior soccer team returned this season and proved to be a worthy adversary, finishing in first place in the regular season standings with a 6-1-1 record and eventually coming away with the league title.
"It was a great season," said Critchlow. "The most exciting thing was that our team was so diverse, with players from across the world, and to see the players adjust to one another, overcome language barriers, adapt to each other's playing styles, and make those relationships that stick with you after the final whistle is blown -- that's what getting this team back together in Neepawa was all about."
He says the support for local soccer was evident during the final game as the stands were full of supporters. He says approximately 100 people came out to enjoy the game.
"Never in my life did I think we'd have that many people out to a soccer game in Neepawa. It really said a lot about what we did as a team this season and it was great to have that awesome atmosphere for the final."
After the game, the Bullets were awarded with the regular season and league championship trophies. The Bullets defeated Old Castle United 8-0 in a semifinal contest earlier this month to advance to the final.
In photo: Left to right: Daryl Critchlow (coach), Jodi Plett, Brett Almey, Kaiten Critchlow, Shannon Plett, Shawn Dingwall, Jamie Freitas, Jordan Twerdun, Arlindo Corro Fernandes, Graeme Wilson, Volodymyr Razgon, Ryos da Silva, Eyasu Asret, Agosta da Costa and Magno (Freddy) da Costa. Kneeling from left: Tony Taylor, Sam Uyaivato, Andrew Turner, Domingos Suares, Antonio Freitas and Rudy Xavier. Missing are Augustino (Eddy) Xavier and Chris Cho. Three fans also joined the team for the picture.
Photo submitted
