Press Release
Friday, September 10, 2021
AUS Soccer: Aigles begin regular season on Sunday
The Université de Moncton soccer teams begin Atlantic University Sport regular season play on Sunday as they host University of Prince Edward Island Panthers at Stade Croix Bleue Medavie Stadium on the Moncton campus.
The women’s game is slated for 1p.m. while the men will be at 3:15pm. Both Moncton teams played a few exhibition games in the last week to be ready for the beginning of the season. This is a return to play following an almost two-year absence because of government regulations linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Aigles Bleues (2-8-2=8pts) women were 8th in the final standings in 2019 while the men Aigles Bleus (3-7-2=11pts) were also 8th. Both teams missed the playoffs as the top 6 teams qualify.
“We will field a very young team in a transition between two groups of players,” noted women coach Mehyar Zekaroui. “We have lots of work ahead of us, but our players have not said their last word. 14 of the 18 players will be playing a first AUS soccer game on Sunday. They are motivated, ready and will play from the first to the last minute. We will focus on our play and our qualities. UPEI and our team have exchanged victories over the past few years.” Zekaroui will have on his roster a few experienced players, including keeper Chelsey Burnham (3rd year), Natalie Fleming (5th), Zoé Brockbank (2nd), Alexandra Roy (2nd), Monica Mazerolle (3rd) and rookies Katarina Laevski, Alexanne Dupuis, Leila Karam, Manon Vautour and Danielle Castonguay.
“We are building for the future,” Zekaroui added. “I have players with a very good work ethic. I am looking forward to seeing us play following a two-year wait. We have very little information on the other teams, some having lost many players like us.”
Chelsea Burnham is undertaking her third season in front of the Aigles Bleues net. “We have a young team with lots of energy and passion for the game,” she said. “We should have a positive season with a great group of young women that will play together as a unit. I see myself as a leader and I talk a lot with my defensive players. I wish to see a progression in every game. I will take my space on the field and control play in front of me.”
A young Aigles Bleus team
The men Aigles Bleus can count on about 10 returnees, including both keepers, André LeBlanc (5th year) and Christian Masimengo (4th). Félix Robichaud (4th), Thomas Maillet (4th), Gershome Mambo (4th) and Héritier Masimengo (5th) are part of the offensive squad. Some rookies who have impressed coach Younes Bouida are Georges Musitu, Mathis Nemadeu, Dave Guichard, Pascal Sonier, Yannis Morel, Lionel Feval and Youssef Jouhar.
“We will field a young team willing to learn and progress in each game,” Bouida indicated. “80 percent of the players are either first or second-year students. They want to prove themselves. They are young, fast, and are technical with abilities. They need to adjust to the physical play of the AUS.”
The team has an objective of qualifying for the playoffs this season. “I am setting the standard very high right off the bat,” Bouida added. “I have a very ambitious group of young players with talent. We are excited for the return to play after almost two years. I hope the spectators will come to encourage our players.”
Keeper André LeBlanc is in his fifth and last season of eligibility with the Aigles Bleus. “We are all excited with the return to play,” LeBlanc indicated. “We have been waiting for this moment for a long time. We are an athletic team with a good young offensive squad and defensively, the team is very capable. I want to enjoy my last season and allow the least number of goals as possible. I am a different André on the field compared to at home. I speak a lot to the players during play and I am a leader who will do what he can to help the team win. I am very different at home.”
Spectators are welcome to attend both games on Sunday. Université de Moncton policy states spectators need to wear a face mask in the stadium.
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