By Murray Gleffe

Correspondent

ASHWAUBENON—After two days of relentless rain, the Green Bay Voyageurs FC finally got the win they were looking for as they defeated WSA Winnipeg 3-0 in a men’s soccer game played, June 1, at Capital Credit Union Park.

“We were fortunate that they missed that goal in the final 15 minutes of the first half,” said Voyageurs head coach Brian Kamler. “After that, I thought we played good soccer to end the half. The guys were on such a high yesterday with the crowd, and I think it took some time to get our rhythm back.”

Green Bay Voyageurs FC defeated WSA Winnipeg by a final of 3-0 in a USL league two conference game. Photo by Murray Gleffe

After a decision was made by the league office to officially abandon yesterday’s contest, the two teams came back out to play a new 90-minute game.

Green Bay was awarded three corner kicks in the first 25 minutes of the game but each time were turned back by Winnipeg goaltender Svyatik Artemenko.

In the 34^th minute, the Voyageurs dodged a huge bullet after Alex Hummel (Green Bay Preble HS graduate) was given a yellow card.

Winnipeg was awarded a direct kick.

Ermin Mackic took aim on a 17-yard kick that hit the cross-bar and bounded out of play.

Then four minutes later, Rinor Hoxha had a breakaway on Voyageur's goaltender Jamison Yoder and missed wide of the net.

“I thought we were struggling to get going early,” said Yoder. “I came out and played the ball on the breakaway and luckily their player didn’t put the ball on goal. I think it gave our guys a lift knowing that the game was still scoreless.”

Whatever momentum Winnipeg had to that point was crushed by Green Bay going forward.

In the 40^th minute, Green Bay forward Demitrius Kigeya danced around the left sidelines and sent a shot in on goal that was back-tapped out to Nick Markanich who calmly stuck the first goal in for the Voyageurs.

Green Bay and Winnipeg soccer players battle through the rain. Photo by Murray Gleffe

“Felt good to get on the board first,” said Markanich. “I wanted to be on the back side of the play in case their goalie punched the ball out or couldn’t make the save and that is what happened. I think it gave us tremendous energy to get another one before half as well.”

A minute before the halftime whistle was blown, Alex Welch (who had yesterday’s goal wiped out) stayed the course and notched his first official goal of the young season by blasting one past Artemenko.

Green Bay took a 2-0 lead into halftime and quickly added a third in the 49^th minute when Anthony Markanich put in a beautiful curving right to left shot into the back of the net to give the Voyageurs a 3-0 lead.

Yoder made a beautiful save in the 62^nd minute to preserve the shutout and send the Voyageurs’ fans home happy with an opening win.

“We have a lot to learn and get better at,” added Kamler. “However, I hope we provided the Green Bay community with a good brand of soccer on opening night. It’s always nice to get a win to open up any season but especially at a brand new park.”

Box Score:

WSA Winnipeg: 0,0—0

Green Bay Voyageurs FC: 2,1—3