Storm, ‘Canes getting ready for new soccer seasons - Winkler Times

Storm, ‘Canes getting ready for new soccer seasons

Both sides facing tougher competition after promotion to higher divisions
By Zach Samborski
Friday March 30, 2007

The soccer season is still a couple of months away, but the South Central Hurricanes of the Winnipeg Women’s Soccer League and the Winkler Storm of the Manitoba Major Junior Soccer League have already begun preparations for their upcoming seasons.The two teams have been running practices every Friday in the Garden Valley Collegiate gym.With tougher competition heading their way this season, Hurricanes coach Celso Arevalo says the team has stepped up its practices. The Canes were promoted to the WWSL’s second division after finishing atop the third division with a record of 17-1-0 for the 2006 season.“So far, we’ve been trying to get into shape,” Arevalo said. “We’ve been mostly working on inside conditioning... we’re hoping to hit Minneapolis in late April for some pre-season games.”Arevalo said the final roster will depend on the number of players showing up to practice and expects it to be finalized in late April.
He added that the girls have been improving their skills so far.“They’re really coming along well and are so excited to be playing in a higher division. They’re putting in a 100 per cent effort at these practices because they know they’ll be facing tougher teams than last season.”The Winkler Storm are also facing a tougher pack of teams this year as they are now in the MMSL’s premier division. The Storm were promoted to that level after a first place finish in the first division with a 9-4-3 record in 2006.“We’ve been getting the team conditioned and in shape this season,” said coach Henry Enns. “There’s about 10 newcomers but we’ll only be able to take about three to five once we have the final roster set. We’re expecting around 15 players to return from last season.”Enns says the Storm have also been coming along well in their practices.“Everybody looks healthy and in shape... I think we’ll be okay once we get some exhibition games done.”The team is taking their practices much more seriously now that they’re in the premier division, he added.“We’re going to really work hard once we get outside. There’s some larger indoor gyms in Winnipeg, so we’ll be holding some practices there. If we can squeeze four or five exhibition games into the schedule, that will be fine.”