U17 Celtic boys aim to open provincial soccer league play with win over Saskatoon
The Saskatchewan Soccer Association’s Provincial Soccer League (PSL) begins play this weekend in Prince Albert.
Twenty boys and girls teams in the U13 to U17 age groups from Saskatoon, Regina and Yorkton will be on the pitch at Kinsmen Park, Prime Ministers Park and Max Clunie Field from Friday to Sunday for the first round of PSL play.
PA hosts the first of four PSL weekends this summer. Saskatoon hosts the next event from June 2 to 4, followed by Moose Jaw from June 16 to 18 and Regina from July 7 to 9. The Top 2 teams from each age group qualify for the finals in Saskatoon on July 16.
The lone PA team participating in the PSL this year is the PA Youth Soccer Association’s U17 Celtic boys. The team has been together since mid-April and has a 0-2 record after a pair of friendly matches against Saskatoon North. Coach Rod McKay said he considers his group to be the underdogs.
“Basically, when you get to this level, this age, most of the teams have been formed years prior and they’ve played together up until this point,” he said.
“But I think, on a competitive level, on any given night these boys can compete with anybody.”
The Celtics are set to take to the field at Prime Ministers Park on Friday at 7 p.m. against Saskatoon North. McKay said his players will benefit from having played the team twice earlier in the season.
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