Manitouwadge High Soccer Successes
Submitted by Emeraude Hunter for MNHSAA
MANITOUWADGE, ON – Manitouwadge High School (MNHS) Wolverines’ Soccer teams travelled to Wawa May 25 – 26, 2022 for the season NSSSAA Tournament and an opportunity to qualify for the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) finals.
The girls’ soccer team placed 2nd earning NSSSAA silver medals. This was the first Manitouwadge High School girls’ team to reach the NSSSAA finals in 19 years.
The team, coached by Bill Aguiar, though small in numbers (just 14 girls total), was very dedicated and determined. The Wolverines won 3 consecutive games facing off on Day 1 against Marathon with Manitouwadge winning (3-0), next they played Wawa, Manitouwadge winning again (3-1). Day 2 they dominated against Chapleau in the morning as Manitouwadge won yet again (5-1).
The afternoon of Day 2, just a little more than an hour after they won against Chapleau, the visiting Wolverines faced off against a well-rested Wawa home team which also had the benefit of more players. The final was a very intense game (CLICK HERE to watch the game, originally broadcast live) with both teams’ goalies digging deep, making spectacular saves, to keep the score at 0-0 throughout in spite of many goal attempts by each team. The teams then played 2 periods, 10 minutes each, during which still no goals were scored forcing a kick-off to determine a winner. The kick-off involved each team having 5, one-on-one, goal attempts with the teams alternating after each kick (i.e. Wawa kicker vs. Manitouwadge goalie then Manitouwadge kicker vs. Wawa goalie and so on until each had their 5 kicks). The tournament would end with Manitouwadge having one successful kick and two of Wawa’s kicks landing this earning the latter team NSSSAA gold with the Wolverines claiming a well-earned silver.
The MNHS boys’ soccer team also won several games during the tournament. The boys’ soccer teams also included a home team from Wawa as well as visiting teams from Marathon, Chapleau, and Dubreuilville.
The Manitouwadge High School Girls’ soccer team thanks all those who supported us throughout the season, including our families and teachers. We also wanted to give an extra special thank you to Manitouwadge High School’s Guidance Counsellor April Robinson who travelled with us to Wawa as a chaperone. Last but certainly not least we share a very sincere THANK YOU to our dedicated and patient coach Bill Aguiar as we look forward to hitting the field with you again next season!
