The Hanover Blaze have four games left in their 2018 soccer season.

Two regular season games and two playoff games.

The Blaze travelled to Winnipeg last Thursday night and were shutout 3-0 by South Crew United.

“It was a bit of a frustrating game but we can’t always control what happens,” said Hanover midfielder Mylene Gagne. “All we can do, honestly, is control the way we play and the way we keep things together. Communication is always key. Once we start going and we talk, that’s when we get our plays going and that’s when it starts getting better.”

The Blaze had a few quality scoring chances but failed to find the back of the net.

“They were definitely keeping their defense on our offense so it was a little bit tough to get those give-and-goes and take a shot on net,” noted Gagne who played for the Hanover Jazz last season and is one of the leading scorers for the Blaze this season. “It’s our job to capitalize on those mistakes. We just need to play a lot more tighter in that sense, keep those passes really short and quick.”

As for playing on the synthetic pitch at Shaughnessy Park.

“My goodness, it is a huge difference,” Gagne said. “The bounces are ridiculous, it’s just not a good surface to play on. Steinbach has perfect grass. I love playing on the Steinbach fields.”

The Blaze have one win, 11 losses and two ties in the Winnipeg Women’s Soccer League’s Third Division.

Gagne says it’s not about those wins and losses but how amazing the team has come together.

“Compared to the start of the season to now – every single game we’ve improved so much. We’re learning from each other. We’re learning how to co-operate with each others weaknesses and strengths. You’re only as strong as your weakest link. The more we pick up on those we become stronger as a team.”

“Soccer has always been my passion,” added Gagne. “It keeps me going. It keeps me sane. When I’m just having a bad day – I’ll kick a ball around. I play soccer because it’s what I love to do and I love to play with the people around me and Hanover has always been a great community to play with. I’m not used to playing with girls who already have kids. I’m only 20. I’m one of the youngest on the team. It’s definitely a learning curve but I can always adjust and I’m sure the other girls as well.”

The Blaze will end the regular season with a pair of games against Chicas at the Steinbach Soccer Park August 9th and 16th.

Two playoff games will follow.

“If we can just keep the positive attitudes and our momentum – I honestly don’t care what our record is at this point – I’m just glad that I was able to finish this season with a group of amazing ladies who love this game just as much as I do,” said Gagne.