So it鈥檚 quite a season-opening assignment the Victoria Highlanders have drawn today against the Pumas at 5 p.m. at Royal Athletic Park.
鈥淭hey have been a mature, older, pro-type team,鈥� said Victoria head coach Steve Simonson, of the Bremerton, Washington-based Pumas.
鈥淏ut they may have a new look this year.鈥�
So do the Highlanders, in a sense.
Simonson begins his first full season as head coach after replacing Ian Bridge on the Victoria bench midway through last season.
鈥淪uccessful teams are the ones that are the most versatile and can adapt and adjust to what the game requires,鈥� said Simonson, in describing his coaching philosophy.
Toward that end, he has assembled what appears on paper a multi-faceted roster.
Jordie Hughes, who scored a Vancouver Island Soccer League Division 1-leading 28 goals this season with Bays United, will pace the Highlanders offence. Brother and fellow-former Coastal Carolina NCAA all-conference performer Tyler Hughes, who plays in the VISL for Cowichan FC, will anchor the back line.
While Tyler Hughes, arguably the best player in the VISL, will provide the sage veteran presence on defence, youth will be served through promising Kalem Scott of the Comox Valley. Scott, who played for Trinity Western University this past CIS season, started 14 of 16 games last season for the Highlanders as a 17-year-old.
The Highlanders also feature a pair of key new signings.
Attacking-midfielder Riley O鈥橬eill of Campbell River, a former Canadian FIFA U-20 World Cup player who played pro in Germany and Finland after an NCAA career with the University of Kentucky Wildcats, returns to the Island.
Former Plymouth Argyle winger Blair Sturrock, who had 37 goals in 282 appearances with various English pro teams, including two goals in 21 FA Cup games, will also provide composure and experience for the Highlanders as a newcomer. Sturrock, however, only arrived in Victoria this week and will be a game-time decision.
鈥淗e鈥檚 coming off a bit of a layoff,鈥� said Simonson.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 want to risk anything. We have a whole season ahead of us.鈥�
A trio of UVic Vikes attacking midfielders 鈥� Craig Gorman, Andrew Ravenhill and Thomas Mallette 鈥� will be relied on to provide kinetic energy.
鈥淭hese [Vikes] can all create a buzz,鈥� said Simonson.
The Victoria bench boss is also very high on a new Highlanders addition from sa国际传媒 West, conference second-leading scorer and CIS second-team all-Canadian Brett Levis from the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
The Highlanders have had their hands full over four seasons against the Pumas with Kitsap holding a 4-1-3 advantage in the rivalry.
