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In early-season play, Highlanders flash will to never say die

As a soccer coach, one never really wants to leave it to the last 10 minutes of a game to watch a team come to life, but early in the Pacific Cast Soccer League, Victoria Highlanders head man Dave Dew was delighted to see a late spark in opening week

As a soccer coach, one never really wants to leave it to the last 10 minutes of a game to watch a team come to life, but early in the Pacific Cast Soccer League, Victoria Highlanders head man Dave Dew was delighted to see a late spark in opening weekend play.

“We were so early into this, with only four practices, so to show the resiliency we did and the attitude — I was impressed with how we came back,” Dew said of the opening 2-2 draw against Kamloops on Saturday, followed by a late 2-1 win over Abbotsford Magnusson Ford SC on Sunday.

“It was great to have our never-say-die attitude secure a late tie and a winner last weekend. That character is a great base to build from.”

Derek deGroot tied it in the 79th minute in the opener and Alex Redpath bagged the game-winner in the 90th minute in the follow-up on Sunday.

“Our [UVic] Vikes guys obviously know each other and we have others who have played together, but to be able to come together [late] with such little time to prepare was impressive,” added Dew.

Not that the veteran coach was entirely glowing.

“It’s still very much a work in progress,” said Dew, who will welcome a half-dozen more players to his 1-0-1 side for today’s matchup against Tim Hortons Pinnacles of Penticton (also 1-0-1) at 4 p.m. at Royal Athletic Park before playing host to FC Tigers of Vancouver (0-1) on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Among them will be well-travelled athletes Ryan Ashlee, Paulo Diat and Spencer McKinnin and a trio of Cowichan FC players in Cooper Barry, Paddy Nelson and Craig Gorman.

“We need to make better decisions at the back,” Dew said, when asked what improvements he would like to see. “It’s typical of a lot of players, wanting to take unnecessary risks. But they now know I won’t stand for that and if they don’t know, then I will make changes so that those in the lineup do know.

“We gave up three goals last weekend that I thought were all preventable,” Dew stressed. “At the same time, I do know it takes time to fix.”

On a positive note, Dew did like the play of youngsters Kieran Large and Mackenzie Cole and the veteran presence of Redpath and Adam and Andrew Ravenhill.

“Callum [Montgomery of St. Michaels University School], at centre back, gave us 180 minutes of work as well,” added Dew, who with the return of Ashlee now has options with the young SMUS talent who will join NCAA No. 8 UNC-Charlotte next season.

The Highlanders will play their first five games at home at RAP before setting out for five straight on the road, with the HarbourCats moving into the facility for the West Coast League baseball season. Dew’s club will play just twice at home in June and once in July due to the conflict.

Tickets can be purchased at selectyourtickets.com or at the gate an hour before game time.

mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com