The Yorkton United FC U24 soccer team traveled to Saskatoon this past weekend for their first two games as members of the Saskatchewan Premier Soccer League (SPSL).
And while the results weren't exactly what they were hoping for; United lost 3-1 to Saskatoon Aurora on Saturday and 7-4 to Saskatoon Lakewood on Sunday; the experience was. "It's the first time this team has played in the top league in the province and to experience that level of play, for these kids, it's amazing," offered Yorkton United U14 head coach Mike Jakubiec. ". The SPSL is the top league for their age group in Saskatchewan, and, traditionally, the Saskatoon clubs are quite strong within the league."
So with the Saskatoon clubs being the dominant teams in the SPSL, the two results might be somewhat expected. However, Jakubiec believes that, not only did his team play well against two top Saskatoon teams, but that they should have returned home with at least one win. "The first game we outplayed and out chanced the opposition, we just couldn't put the ball in the net," mentioned Jakubiec. "The second game was a little bit more of a back and forth game that we ended up losing, but we still could have won."
The offensive dynamos for the Yorkton United U14 soccer team in their SPSL debuts were Dami Ogunbiyi who potted three goals and Matthew Mandziuk who found the back of the net twice from the midfield position.
Other United results
The Yorkton United Chelsea U12 boys' team went 1-1 this past weekend.
The U12 team lost a close game to REU Boca Jr. 2-1 despite taking the lead early on, thanks to a goal by Brett Switzer at the 11 minute mark of the first half.
Two quick opposition goals, one to end the first half and one to open the second, led Boca Jr. to a 2-1 victory over Yorkton.
The Yorkton United Chelsea U12 club rebounded nicely, however, destroying Regina AC Pumas 5-1 to get back into the win column.
Zach Wasylyshen opened the scoring at the 17 minute mark of the first half after some crisp passing by his United teammates.
Austin Andres made it 2-0 Yorkton at the 21st minute and before the fans finished celebrating the second Yorkton goal, Andriy Usan gave Yorkton a three goal advantage, tucking the ball past the Pumas keeper to make it 3-0.
Regina would get on the board early in the second half, however the talented Nic Nesseth quickly answered for Yorkton, potting his first of two on the day to make it 4-1 Yorkton.
Nesseth rounded out the scoring just three minutes later when he banged home the ball at the 35 minute mark to give Yorkton a 5-1 victory.
One other Yorkton United team was in action this past weekend. The U10 Sonics boys team made quick work of Regina AC Pumas White, dismantling the visiting squad 10-0 on Saturday before picking up a walkover victory on Sunday as the team from Regina was unable to field a squad.
