Bobcats look for more under new coaching regime

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/09/2023 (938 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Brandon University Bobcats have three big reasons for early excitement as they await their regular-season opener.

The first was a 4-1 victory over the Medicine Hat Rattlers. Next, a 2-1 win over the Red Deer Queens. Finally, a 3-1 triumph to close the women’s soccer pre-season over the Northwestern Polytechnic Wolves. Naturally, a clean sweep of three Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference counterparts builds confidence starting the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference against the visiting St. Boniface Les Rouges today at 1 p.m.

“After Red Deer and having a lot of success there, we’re super pumped for this season. Especially our home opener,” said co-captain Ashley Robinson.

“Ready to show them what we got and come back at St. Boniface especially.”

Brandon’s core came together in 2021 and instantly found success, making the league final but falling to Les Rouges. They lost a semifinal in 2022 but dealt with key injuries all year that held them back.

The biggest change this year is in the coaching staff as former youth national teamer Orlin Chalmers took over and added former Bobcat star Bailee Ploshynsky as an assistant.

Molly MacPherson-Blair likes what she sees from the new pair.

“It feels like it’s a real fresh start,” said co-captain Molly MacPherson-Blair.

“It’s brought us as a team closer together because we’ve had to rely on each other for the past couple of years. Having different perspectives also has brought things to our game where we now see it through several different lenses of the people who have coached us in the past.”

Chalmers said the Red Deer trip was valuable to learn what he’s working with. He noted the team is “clever” and has a ton of skill, and will make lots of progress before the Oct. 28-29 final-four weekend.

When it comes to individuals, Chalmers won’t single anyone out.

“In my opinion, they all have attributes that benefit the team. That’s why they’re here,” he said. “I saw a lot in Red Deer from each and every one of them so I can’t really say any one player is better than the other in any position. They all contribute to the team and that’s the culture I try and bring here.

“There’s no weak link, and that’s what I love about this team.”

If that message is to hold up, expect even playing time across the board throughout the 12-game season, which includes back-to-back matches this weekend with a road game against Assiniboine Community College on Sunday.

Opponents may take it with a grain of salt, however, as they’ve watched all-conference fullback Kylie Van De Woestyne and midfielder Brogan Henry take games over. They’ve seen Kenadie Janzen score with both feet and stretch their defensive units to their limits. They know Robinson can anchor a back four or create chances as an attacking midfielder, where she spent most of the Red Deer trip.

Robinson noted rookies Mackenzie Boyes of Brandon and Pia Bokingkito of Neepawa have made BU’s offence even tougher to handle.

“It’s so crucial in our game,” Robinson said. “Brogan’s got speed but she’s also got technical (ability) and she sees the field. Now that we have those wing players, Pia is awesome on the wing. we’re looking for her lots and great touch on the ball.

“Our moving on and off the ball is super good. It’s changed a lot since our previous years and teams aren’t going to expect it.”

Josie Black is back in goal, with MacPherson-Blair and Esmee Lemoine in front of her. Van De Woestyne, Ireland Staples and Marijka Popadynetz return to the defensive unit that allowed 20 goals last year and should easily improve upon that mark.

“The chemistry part of it is really important,” MacPherson-Blair said.

“Knowing if somebody drops somebody will know to fill, having that trust in your team makes it easier for us to play the game more up-tempo and attack easier.

“It’s really helpful in how we want to play.”

That play style comes from Chalmers’ background playing overseas in France for a handful of years growing up.

“That’s basically trigger points and recognizing triggers within another team and being able to counter,” Chalmers said.

“We have to be equipped to do anything. I like to train players to think on their own, to be free thinkers, to be able to handle any situation and it’s my job as a coach to do that.”

The Bobcats are chasing their first title since 2017 but also a trip to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association championship at Holland College in Prince Edward Island on Nov. 8-11.

» tfriesen@brandonsun.com

» X: @thomasmfriesen