Stonewall Argus and Teulon Times — United in hunt for the tripleSoccer

Club preps for playoffs after first-place finish, cup win
By Jason Halstead

Two out of three puzzle pieces are in place, and now Stonewall United is gunning for a sweep of top prizes in the Winnipeg Division of the Manitoba Major Soccer League.The men’s soccer team wrapped up the division title heading into the final game of the season this Tuesday. Stonewall will face the second-place River Heights Cardinals in a road match that day, but with a five-point lead on the Winnipeggers, United’s place atop the standings is safe. United already won the mid-season league tourney – the President’s Cup – and will be looking for victory in the knockout playoffs set to start late this week.Set for playoffs“We’ve got two out of three now and we’ll be looking for the last piece of the puzzle by winning the playoffs,” said United player/manager Grant Barker. “We’ve had an outstanding season.”In 2002, United won quadruple honours, taking the division and playoff titles, as well as winning the President’s Cup and the Kenora men’s soccer tournament title.“We didn’t do well in Kenora this year, but it’s difficult to win all four,” Barker said.On Aug. 19, United played to a 4-4 draw with the Cardinals in Stonewall, so while the rematch this Tuesday won’t affect the standings, Barker said his team will be looking to better the city side.“It will be a good match,” Barker said. “We allowed back into the game when they tied up, so we’ll be looking to take them out of the game next Tuesday.”Stonewall currently boasts a record of 13 wins, three losses, and a draw, with 59 goals-for and 20 against.Stonewall has earned a bye in the first round of playoffs as the division’s bottom clubs play off to decided who will face the first-place side.“I think we can really rally around the fact that our goals-against total has been kept low,” Barker said of his team’s defensive strength. “It really speaks well for our defence. Everything starts from the back for us.”Barker also had high praise for what has been a crew of goalkeepers this season – Troy Owen, Chris Ford and even forward Jason Ferris have all taken turns between the pipes for United.“We’ve got a capable bunch of forwards who have really shone,” Barker said.Scoring has been fairly evenly spread throughout the United squad. The club’s leading scorer, Jason Ferris with 10 goals, sits in third place among Winnipeg Division marksmen. Four United players – Jerry Zinko, Patrick McManus, Marco Correia, and Damian Hines – stand in sixth spot in divisional scoring with five goals apiece.“Jerry (Zinko) rejoined us halfway through the season and it’s been nice to have him back in midfield,” Barker said. “He’s really starting to peak now.”Barker is joined in running the soccer team by playe/coach Andre Dube and team captain Doug Nixon, who also takes on some coaching duties.