Kenora Miner and News Premier match-up in soccer exhibition

Kenora’s top soccer players will test their skills against some of Winnipeg’s best Saturday at a Kenora Challenge game at the Brinkman Road Soccer Complex.

By Peter James
Kenora’s top soccer players will test their skills against some of Winnipeg’s best Saturday at a Kenora Challenge game at the Brinkman Road Soccer Complex.“It’s going to be some of the best soccer that’s going to be played here in some time,” organizer Dave Blake said.He has assembled an all-star team from the Hap’s Men’s Soccer League to challenge the South End Celtic from the Manitoba Major Soccer League’s premier division.“(The players) want to see where they stack up and where the league stacks up,” Blake said.The Celtic moved up from the first division to the premier league this season, but struggled against the tougher competition. They finished the year 4-16-3 and are awaiting to find out if they’ve been relegated. Celtic player/manager Mark Somogyi said his club is using the game as a bridge between the just completed outdoor season and indoor soccer which will begin in Winnipeg soon.“ A few years ago the team came to Kenora for the tournament and had a really good time,” he said. “We thought this is a good way to wrap up our season.” The Celtic will be calling on a few players from other non-playoff teams in the premiership to supplement their roster, which has been hurt by injuries. Some players can’t make the trip because of work commitments. Despite the poor standing the Celtic’s skill will be a challenge for the Kenora team, which will be missing some of its top players. Blake conceded that having the match so late in the season means he’s lost the services of players who have returned to university. Still, he’s pleased with the roster that’s been assembled. The team had a practice Sunday afternoon to work out any rust that may have developed in the three weeks since the playoffs ended.“I think Kenora has some pretty good soccer players, but they seem to be divided on all the teams,” Blake said. The Kenora all-stars will field representatives from all eight teams in the league, including four members of the regular season and playoff champion Casey’s Spurs. Picking the team was a challenge. Blake and a few other organizers tried to whittle down the list, but they struggled to make cuts. Blake said upwards of 20 other players were strong enough to make the team, but didn’t get a call.Blake expects the team will be solid defensively with the likes of Nate Goss and Jake Blosser protecting the area in front of goaltender Blair Beasent.“Those guys are solid back there,” Blake said.There are plans to make this challenge game an annual event, but Blake said in future years he would like to see it played in the middle of the summer, midway through the regular season.Admission to Saturday’s game is free, but there will be a silver collection at the door in support of local minor soccer programs.Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m.