Robinson, Wood BU’s athletes of the month

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This article was published 03/10/2023 (914 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

From A to Z, the Brandon University Bobcats athletes of the month were solid in September.

Ashley Robinson and Zach Wood started the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference soccer season in fine form with key goals on opening weekend. They got their teams in solid positions as both sit in second place just past the halfway point of the 12-game campaign.

“I feel like this season has been a better start for me. I definitely worked hard this summer to be prepared for the season,” said Robinson, who scored her first-ever goal as a Bobcat against Assiniboine Community College, then tacked on two more for a hat trick.

“My touch has gotten a bit better in the middle, and just understanding the game and seeing the game better.”

Overall, the fourth-year midfielder who started her career as a centre-back feels her team could have played better but is trending in the right direction. BU is 5-2-0, one point back of Providence for first place.

The Bobcats are less than two months in with new coach Orlin Chalmers. The former youth national team player has changed the team’s style and sped their attack up.

Robinson is impressed with the way he’s improving the Bobcats’ collective soccer IQ and notes there are challenges that come with a high-tempo game that they still have to adjust to.

“Sometimes we do have to pick and choose when to use our energy. What Orlin tries to instil in us is … save it up for the final third of the pitch,” Robinson said. “When we’re in that final third, we come out with a burst of energy there and we need to keep doing that and play smart when we’re in the last two-thirds.”

Wood, a fourth-year midfielder, scored Brandon’s first goal of the season in a 1-1 draw against Saint-Boniface. He added another against ACC the next day and has since deferred to a variety of teammates on the attack.

“It actually made a huge difference,” Wood said of his strong offensive start.

“I felt like taking on more players, being more creative in the midfield, making passes that I normally wouldn’t and actually getting them where they’re supposed to go.”

The Bobcats are 4-0-3, one point back of the Pilots with five games to go. Then it’s time to try and reclaim the league title, something Wood is familiar with.

The Morden product is one of two Bobcats from the school’s first outdoor soccer championship run back in 2019 and was instrumental in defending in 2021.

While he has been a regular starter from Day 1, he feels way more comfortable in the same midfield role he immediately assumed.

Wood’s focus has shifted more to helping others on and off the field, from guiding young players tactically to helping them academically and in the adjustment to university life.

That leadership contributed to his first-ever athlete of the month selection.

“I was actually kind of surprised because there were a lot of people that played good this month so I’m just grateful to get the award,” Wood said.

“For the team, I still think we’ve got some work to do, obviously I want to win every game, not even tie. I know we’re undefeated but I feel like we have more.

“For myself, same thing. I’m never really 100 per cent happy. I feel like I’ve always got stuff to take away, stuff I could do better.”

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