Bison preview
A look at football, soccer for 2005
Amanda Laing, Staff
Photo courtesy of Bison Sports
Bison Football
With press conferences, meetings, fitness testing and a couple of two-a-days under their belts, Bison football has finally settled into training camp for the 2005 season. After narrowly missing the playoffs in 2004 due to a last-minute upset of UBC by the University of Calgary, all Bison eyes are set on the sight of the Canada West division playoffs this November.
Third year defensive back Dave Beakley, 24, is anxious to play football again. “The off-season always seems too long. I’m looking forward to football and the atmosphere of 70 guys who all love the same thing . . . who are working hard and giving it their all.”
As Manitoba prepares for its first game — a pre-season clash with rival University of Regina — fifth year veteran linebacker Kevin Coates is expecting to see an improvement in his team.
“We are a good, young team. We have another year under our belt and that is a plus to the maturity of our team . . . . We’ll be seeing a huge improvement in every position.”
Beakley agreed, “We are a stronger team. We have good players who are back another year older. Our rebuilding is done and it’s time to start playing like we can.”
With the return of talented quarterback (QB) Shane Munson to complete his final year of eligibility, and third year QB Ryan Zahara, who passed for 1,098 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2004, there will no doubt be some serious competition for the starting job.
Defensive lineman Simon Patrick and offensive lineman Riley Clayton are also considered forces to be reckoned with this season, as are Blair Atkinson and Terry Firr.
Beakley anticipates players Cory Huclack and Kerry Joseph will take leadership roles on the Bison team. Coates, on the other hand, feels that the leadership roles are up for grabs this season in the absence of former Bisons Scott Mennie, David Hewson, Adam Zeglen and Luke Acheson.
Beakley and Coates do agree, however, that the Canada West conference is a tough one to play in and an even tougher one to predict.
“The battle is so close between first and last. We’ve seen it over and over again when an 8-0 or 7-1 team is upset by the fourth place team. . . . From beginning to end it is anybody’s conference, and it’s a strong one,” said Coates.
“Alberta is the team to beat, but after that, it’s open,” said Beakley, who also noted Saskatchewan as tough competition.
While both players are reluctant to look to the past, the disappointment of missing the playoffs last year is evident. “Not making the playoffs and not taking a step forward last year was hard,” said Beakley. “This year we want to give our fans some energy. We want to give people a reason to come out. We want kids to be excited to come to our games.”
The Bisons host Calgary in their season home-opener on September 3 at 1 p.m.. Also watch for the Bisons homecoming game September 24 at 1 p.m. Tickets for Bison football are available through Ticketmaster.
Bison Soccer
As Bison women’s soccer prepares to enter its inaugural Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) season, head coach Walt McKee holds realistic expectations for his team. With about 30 players in training camp, practicing daily, anticipation is building for a chance to test the waters of the Canada West conference.
A finalized roster of players will officially get their feet wet on September 9, as the herd takes on the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns at the U of M stadium. In preparation for their season opener, McKee’s team will play the University of North Dakota (UND) at UND August 24, followed by a two-game, non-conference series versus the University of Saskatchewan Huskies August 27 and 28.
No matter what the results of the preseason, however, McKee is definitely aware that the Bisons may experience some growing pains along the way.
“It’s our first year. We definitely have our work cut out for us,” McKee admitted. The teams on the West Coast will be the toughest for the herd, as powerhouse Trinity Western and UBC are expected to dominate Canada West.
“The teams in BC have the advantage of playing year round,” said McKee. However, playing them at home later in the season might work to Manitoba’s advantage as those teams adjust to colder Winnipeg weather.
Another Bison advantage is the recruitment of national team member Desiree Scott, who will be the player to watch for this season. Caley Miskimmin is another Bison rookie who is in the hunt for a spot. She is also an accomplished track and field athlete who will likely make a name for herself in both disciplines. In training camp, McKee is also taking a good hard look at goalkeeper Chera Kirkpatrick, whose focus and maturity may be what the brown and gold need for their inaugural season.
McKee is also expecting some veteran players to step up their game. Midfielder Rosaline “Rosie” Bohemier, forward Jennifer McLaren and defender Annie Bogar are all likely to take on leadership roles this season. Combined with the scoring touch of returning player Lianna Bestvater, McKee expects his core of experienced players to lead by example.
McKee also pointed out that having soccer compete this year with full CIS status is a positive not only for the university, but also for the community and the province in general.
“[Manitoba] had a successful experience at the Canada Games, moving up to fifth spot from eighth [at the previous games]. A half-dozen of those girls are trying out for this team. . . . We now also have 25 to 30-plus girls trying out and gaining experience at a higher level.”
Overall, McKee’s goal is to have a positive experience for the program this year, adding that the program has received good support from the soccer clubs in Winnipeg. He also feels the Bison program will increase the overall level of competition for women’s soccer in the province.
You can catch the herd’s first preseason series at home against the U of S Huskies, August 27 at 2 p.m. and August 28 at 12 p.m. at the U of M stadium.
