Returning from their recent Iowa trip, the Providence Pilots men’s soccer team was in top shape this weekend, scoring twelve goals and keeping clean sheets across two games.

Braving the frigid weather, the Pilots brought on the heat to both Red River Rebels and Saint Boniface’s Les Rouges, scorching them with 4-0 and 8-0 respective wins. “This was our best weekend offensively this year” implores head coach Joseph Passi. “The boys played solid soccer in both games and really brought together all the offensive things we had been working on all year.”

Though his team has many rookie players, Passi feels they are finally starting to find their rhythm. “I think it has taken a little bit of time to figure out our identity and chemistry due to having so many new faces, but I thought our rookies this weekend all made big impacts.” Rookie forward Bret Sveinson led the way with four goals this weekend, and rookie winger Thanu Kumar assisted five goals across the games.

In women’s action, the Pilots captured points from both games, playing a competitive 1-1 tie against Red River Rebels and a thrilling 3-2 win over Saint Boniface’s Les Rouges. Rookie Makayla Myer led the way with a goal and an assist, and Kristy Yashuk assisted two goals across the games.

Head coach Tory Walker loved the intensity his team showed this weekend and is looking forward to finishing this competitive season strong. “The Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference playoff race is very tight with four teams battling for the last three spots,” highlights Walker, who adds: “We will have a great week of practice to prepare for two big games this weekend and I'm sure the team will be up for the challenge.”

In basketball, both Pilots teams traveled to North Dakota to face Mayville State University last weekend. In men’s basketball, the Pilots faced a tough test against the Mayville Comets, losing both their games 48-112 and 45-120 respectively. Guard JT Lawson led his team with 20 points.

Head coach Pierre Dubreuil points out that these games are great opportunities to learn and grow as a team. “Playing against this kind of team is always a good way to question ourselves and to point out the weaknesses that we need to improve” he states. “It is still early in the season; we are going to work better to be ready for our next chapter next Sunday at Valley City.”

In women’s action, the Pilots also faced a tough test against the bigger and taller Mayville Comets, losing both their games 49-90 and 34-78 respectively. Despite the losses, captain Joanne Schwarz saw positives in her team. “We accomplished many smaller goals [during the games] that will put us on track for the rest of the season.”

In volleyball, the Pilots women’s team played a three-game tournament over the weekend. Though falling to the Lakehead University Thunderwolves and Mayville State University Comets 3-0 in both games, the Pilots regrouped against the Lake Region State College Royals, winning a thrilling 3-2 game. Kristen Taillon led her team with 18 kills and 22 digs, and Katy Warkentine contributed 15 kills and 10 aces across the games.

Head coach Kyle Guenther was happy with the results of the weekend, as his team faced Canadian Interuniversity Sport teams. “We gave good match[es] and ended up having some great performances” he states. “It was great to see the team play together, and we will look to build off this weekend’s play as we head into the tail end of our U.S. season.”