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Airdrie Aztecs ready for outdoor soccer season

The indoor season has only just ended for the Airdrie United Aztecs women’s soccer team, but the outdoor campaign is just around the corner, with games kicking off in May.
Ready for grass
The Airdrie Aztecs women’s soccer team had a successful indoor season, and its players are looking forward to the upcoming outdoor campaign.

The indoor season has only just ended for the Airdrie United Aztecs women’s soccer team, but the outdoor campaign is just around the corner, with games kicking off in May.

The Aztecs wrapped up the 2018-19 indoor season April 14, losing in a penalty shootout to Santos FC in the Calgary Women’s Soccer Association’s (CWSA).

“Overall, I’m very happy with how the season went,” said head coach Gino Gamboa.

The shootout loss to Santos meant the Aztecs finished the season with an 11-3-2 record – second place in Division 4 of the CWSA’s new eight-on-eight indoor league.

“It was the first time playing this format,” Gamboa said. “I was actually looking forward to playing this format because I felt from the beginning that it was going to suit my players better.

“My team tries to play a game of possession and control – a little bit more tactical. Sometimes, that’s difficult to do in the boarded game.”

The squad boasted a run of impressive stats throughout 2018-19. Defensively, goalkeeper Gabriella Verdicchio ended the season with nine clean sheets and only 14 goals conceded in 16 matches.

On the other end of the pitch, 21-year-old striker Sam McMillan was the top scorer in Division 4, with 15 goals – a strike rate of nearly one per game.

Gamboa said McMillan, who has been with the Aztecs since the team formed four years ago, has become an important weapon for the squad.

“She has a very impressive burst of speed when she breaks away,” he said. “She has good control of the ball, her cross shot is fantastic – she usually plays wide on the right and then [shoots to the far post].”

While McMillan was the main offensive threat, Gamboa was quick to point out other players. Nicole O’Brien managed seven strikes throughout the season, and 11 other players made it onto the score sheet, as well.

With Airdrie’s season ending almost a month later than most indoor leagues, the Aztecs’ players will have little time to rest before the outdoor season kicks off May 5. According to Gamboa, the team will play in Tier 2 this spring and summer, with home games taking place at Monklands Park.

Though the competition will be tougher, Gamboa added the Aztecs’ roster will be bolstered with the addition of three players who return to Airdrie for the summer.

“I’m excited because I’m going to keep the group I have for indoor, and I’m getting back some players who come from school,” he said.

“It’s the ideal situation, when you have the same core group to work together for the whole season. I think we’re going to have a very good season.”

While the late indoor season schedule means there won’t be time for a proper preseason, Gamboa said the Aztecs will play in an eight-on-eight tournament at the Calgary Soccer Centre April 26 and 27. He added the four-game tournament will provide opportunities for the team to integrate the new players.

“It’ll be good to have the girls who come from school and the girls who are already here to start getting used to each other,” he said. “It’s going to make up for the lack of preparation we do.”

For the Aztecs’ 2019 outdoor season schedule and other information, visit womensoccer.ab.ca

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