“The goal for our team this year is to be at the top of the league, vying for a spot in provincials.”

The high school boys’ soccer regular season wrapped up with the Holy Cross Crusaders and Centennial Chargers tied atop the standings with 16 points each.

Holy Cross was undefeated on the season with six wins, but also tied four games.

Centennial led the league with seven wins, but had one loss and two draws.

The two teams drew to a 1-1 tie in a head-to-head matchup in their final game of the season on Wednesday. The draw led to the tie between the teams at the top of the standings.

For girls soccer, the St. Joseph Guardians lead the standings with 15 points after nine games. Holy Cross is two points back.

Girls’ soccer quarter-final action will take place on Tuesday and boys’ quarter-finals the following day. Both city seasons wrap up with city championships played on Oct. 21 at SMF Field. Provincials will follow on Oct. 25 and 26, with the boys at home in Saskatoon and the girls teams traveling to Yorkton.

The StarPhoenix thanks coaches for their insights so we can provide team-by-team snapshots for all the teams whose coaches have chosen to respond.

Saskatoon high school boys soccer action during the 2023 fall season. Photo by Victor Pankratz.

Boys

Bethlehem Stars

Head coach: Julian Dale & Thomas Soldo

Players to watch

• Daniel Gbenle — Grade 12, Striker.
• Jah Abao — Grade 12, Centre Midfielder.

Previous results

“8th, lost to Centennial 2-1 in playoffs.”

Expectations for this season

“Take the experience from our first year back in the fall league in 2023 to become more competitive and move up in the standings.”

Bishop Mahoney Saints

Head coach: Brandon Holmes

Players to watch

• Luke Marshall — Grade 12, Midfielder. Quality on the ball and excellent work rate off of it.
• Daniel Moser — Grade 12, Centre Back. Physically dominant player who leads by example.
• Maddox Shaw — Grade 12, Midfielder. Vocal leader who organizes us and makes few mistakes.
• Niklos Irwin — Grade 12, Wing Back. Pacey playmaker who gets up and down the pitch.

Previous results

“City semifinal loss”

Expectations for this season

“To again surprise some people come playoff time.”

Centennial Chargers

Head coach: Michael Veszi

Players to watch

• Kobe Chilagan — Grade 12, Centre Midfielder. Maestro who pulls all the strings. He is oozing with talent, and team will go as he will go. His ability to consistently play at the highest level is why he is one of the best players in the province.
• Tai Johnston — Grade 12, Centre Back. A skillful and intelligent player who does not lack intensity. His leadership and solid defensive play are going to be major keys to team’s success.
• Lewis Fairweather — Grade 12, Centre Midfielder/Winger. A player that is talented and gritty. He loves to compete in duels and can spark team at any moment.
• Jordan Gillott — Grade 12, Goalie. An elite shot stopper that has shown the ability to make game winning saves in the biggest moments. He plays with an incredible amount of heart and leads by putting his teammates first.
• Coen LaClare — Grade 10, Winger. An exciting, athletic and talented young player who is exceptionally skilled offensively. He is going to create a lot of problems in the attacking third for defenses to deal with.
• Maxi Alvarado — Grade 10, Centre Midfielder. An extremely clever and dangerous attacking player. He strikes the ball clean and can score goals from all over the pitch.
• Thierry Helgason — Grade 12, Assistant Coach. Due to an unfortunate injury Thierry has now joined the coaching staff for the season. He remains one of the captains of the team and is “the” integral part of the chemistry. One of the best tacklers I have ever seen, he will be missed on the pitch but will thrive in his new role.

Previous results

“Provincial silver medalists, city champions, league title.”

Expectations for this season

“I expect my team to play hard and compete for each other every time we step on the pitch.”

Evan Hardy Souls

Head coach: Bill Mantyka

Players to watch

• Aiden Ernst — Grade 12, Midfielder. A four-year member of the team and one of the captains. He has great talent and we are expecting a lot from him in his senior year.
• Gus Alidibu — Grade 12, Defender. One of the captains and a leader in the defensive end of the field.
• Mumin Eldebacan — Grade 11, Midfielder. A very talented attacking player. He has the ability to create chances for himself and his teammates.
• Logan Sand — Grade 11, Midfielder. His game is a combination of great talent with a high work rate. He never stops competing.

Previous results

“Lost a very close quarter-final game.”

Expectations for this season

“We have a very veteran team this year. Our hope is to show progress all year long and be playing our best soccer when the playoffs start in October.”

Holy Cross Crusaders

Head coach: Mr. Regel & Mr. Kozub

Players to watch

• Tao Hein — Grade 12, Centre Attacking Midfielder. Plays with excitement, wants to score goals.
• Simon Weber — Grade 12, Centre Midfielder. Two-way player can play defence but also wants to score goals.

Previous results

“Lost city title, won provincial title (three years in a row).”

Expectations for this season

“Want to win it all.”

St. Joseph Guardians

Head coach: Colin Fong

Players to watch

• Rowen Gresty — Grade 12. Returning captain who makes things run for the team through his play and leadership in the middle.
• Zavier Thode — Grade 11, Centre Back. Third-year starter who has improved every year.
• Ryan Jarotski, Nazar Bulyhin, Olalade Olalaye, Nate Fong, DJ Cram — Our Grade 11s that will make up the midfield and striker positions. A lot of experience and talent in this group.
• Drew Jepsen — Grade 10, Defender. Comes in as a starting defender and will have immediate impact.
• Landon Bagonluri — Grade 11, Goalie. Will be full time starting in goal with two years of experience on the team.

Previous results

“Lost in the quarter-finals.”

Expectations for this season

“Hope to compete in every game and make a run to the playoffs. Have fun!”

Walter Murray Marauders

Head coach: Sarah Laverty & Peter Homer

Players to watch

• Cole Krushelniski — Grade 12. A solid leader who leaves everything on the field. He builds the play from the back and is lethal in the air.
• Angus Li — Grade 12, Defender. A fast and agile defender who never hesitates when trying to win the ball. He’s rock solid at the back and dangerous on either wing.
• Eli Masiowski — Grade 12. An attacker with explosive speed who loves to take players on. He’s not afraid to start a play or be on the end of one to score a goal.
• Namvinh Nguyen — Grade 12, Midfielder. A tricky, dynamic midfielder who is always looking to get involved in the play.
• Cole Friesen — Grade 10, Midfielder. A hungry midfielder who loves to create chances and use his speed to beat defenders.
• Bertin — Grade 10. Feisty and quick. Solid defender and playmaker on the wing.

Previous results

“We finished 4th in the league and played our best games during playoffs. We beat Aden Bowman in the quarter-finals to advance to the semifinal match. We played our best game of the season but could not hold the lead, losing 4-3 to Centennial.”

Expectations for this season

“Having only lost a few players to graduation last year, a solid group of returners will lead the way this season. We plan to continue to build on the efforts of last season’s final games and play our best come playoffs.”

Girls

Aden Bowman Bears

Head coach: Josiah Chamberlin

Players to watch

“We are thrilled to highlight the following players. Senior veteran Jana van Niekerk and newcomer Keira Kitmura-Sanders. Watch for them to dominate the middle. In just a few days it looks like they have been playing together for years. Veterans Abbey Gibson, Chloe Coombs, Prisha Roy, Emily Pegg, and Arlee Gonzalez are looking to be even better this season! Speed and tenacity are a few words that come to mind when thinking of this core group. We have welcomed several rookies to the squad and are very excited to see what they bring to the pitch. Watch for Shaylee Seesequasis, Carys McLachlan, Luiza Martins, Ava Hitchings, and Harlow Wozniak to make an impact.”

Previous results

“After many growing pains last season, our squad finished the season strong with a win. They came together and played their best games in the middle of October. Our season ended with a close, but disappointing, loss to St. Joseph in the quarter-final. Watch for this squad to upset the standings this year.”

Expectations for this season

“Our goal is to break into the top four this year. With our strong core group and dynamic additions, our squad is ready to take on this challenge.”

Bishop Mahoney Saints

Head coach: Ivan Kolosnjaji

Players to watch

• Kaylee Sookochoff — Grade 12, Midfielder. A dominant presence in the midfield. A true box-to-box midfielder; she can do both sides of the game with lethal precision, vision, and aggression. A warrior for the team.
• Alyssa Paydli — Grade 12, Goalkeeper. An unbelievable goalkeeper. Excellent at one-on-ones, reflex saves, distribution and collection. It’s almost unfair to have a wall like her in net.
• Avery Andrews — Grade 12, Midfielder. An excellent creator for the team. Her passing, vision, and flexibility are an invaluable asset. While being strong in the tackle too, no occasion phases cool, calm and collected Avery.
• Talia Cook — Grade 12, Midfielder. Pivotal to how team functions, she leaves her all on the field. That wand of a left foot is quite handy to have on set pieces as well.

Previous results

Made it to semifinals.

Expectations for this season

“Going all the way.”

Centennial Chargers

Head coach: Theresa Brossart

Players to watch

• Natalie Meinert — Grade 10, Central Midfielder. Tenacious, strong and the foundation of the midfield. Never shy to back away from a tackle.
• Lexie Reagan — Grade 11, Striker. Quick on and off the ball and has a strong desire to score.
• Taliah Evans — Grade 11, Striker. Strong on the ball and an excellent playmaker also with a high drive to score.
• Lily Vandeven — Grade 10. Smart and fast on the ball, keeps the back line in check.
• Olivia Iverson — Grade 9. Outside Midfielder looking to see the impact she has on the flank this year with her technical ability.
• Parker Wood — Grade 9, Goalie. Excited to add some fresh skills to the back of the team.

Previous results

“3rd place.”

Expectations for this season

“The goal for our team this year is to be at the top of the league, vying for a spot in provincials.”

Marion Graham Falcons

Head coach: Natasha Miscavish

Players to watch

• Sofia Kaylar — Grade 12, Defense.
• Milah McCarty — Grade 12, Midfielder.
• Abby Voykin — Grade 11, Forward
• Each are senior leaders who set the standard for the team with their effort and performance on the pitch.

Previous results

Lost in quarter-finals.

Expectations for this season

“We have a young and talented squad, and will push for a good seeding in the playoffs. We are rebuilding this year, but every year we push to extend our season as far into the playoffs as possible!”

St. Joseph Guardians

Head coach: Lisa Evans

Players to watch

• Kadence Madraga — Grade 12, Midfielder. A player to watch this season because she is coming back to the team after missing last year and that is fueling her passion for this sport. She is a very skillful player on the ball that can distribute to her teammates but can also find the opportunities to finish herself. Her leadership skills will be helpful for our many younger players on the team this year.
• Jill Zurakowski — Grade 11, Centerback. A player to watch this season because of the leadership she provides to the defence. With her speed and strength, she is a dominant presence in the back field. She is a very confident player who has grown to use her voice to help her teammates reach their potential.
• Calla Zimmer — Grade 10, Striker. A player to watch this season because of her speed and ability to finish. She is now into her second season on the team and has shown up this year with new skills and the readiness to strive for more. A powerful player in the front of the field that works off her teammates to find space to receive the ball.

Previous results

“City and provincial champions.”

Expectations for this season

“With many younger players coming to the team this year, we are looking to continue to build from the success of last season.”