Sooke Celtic FC enters the new year determined to move up the standings.
Although the team finished the first half of Vancouver Island Soccer Association Division 2 play in fourth place, they are just one point out of second place.
“There’s real logjam at the top with only five games left to play,” said Celtic assistant coach Pete McKay. “We’ve had some wins and some close losses. Sometimes your biggest losses are your greatest victories because you learn so much more from them.”
McKay said the return of some key players from injury has Sooke Celtic primed to make a playoff push.
“The guys are very motivated,” he said. “We hung out and practiced during the break, and they have that mentality of always trying to improve.”
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McKay said with so many new players, one of the biggest challenges this season has been figuring out where everyone plays best.
“Coach (Sven) Eckhardt has been excellent,” he said. “He’s one of the most motivated soccer players I’ve ever been around, and that trickles down to all of us.”
Leadership from veteran players like Jared Cooper, Mike Moon, Mike McKay and Robbie Heggelund has been vital as well, McKay noted.
“When you have leaders like that on the field, it makes it easier to coach,” he said. “They are essential to our success. Our younger players are some of the most dedicated on the team. They put in a lot of work outside of practice, and it’s rewarding to see them progress.”
Celtic’s first game after the break is in Ladysmith on Jan. 14 against the Mid-Island Mariners. The next home game is against Nanaimo on Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. at The Log at Fred Milne Park.
“I’m sure our fans will be out in force in their green shirts chopping and cheering,” McKay said.
The team is looking forward to the annual Jackson Cup in February, with the date and location to be determined.
“It’s a great tradition tradition that’s been around for over a hundred years,” McKay said.