As the NAIT Ooks men's futsal team heads into the ACAC Championships as the top seed, head coach Jeff Paulus reflects on a season of triumph and growth. The Ooks finished at the top of the standings, a remarkable achievement after a close call last season when they missed out on a provincial spot. Paulus is quick to highlight the significance of their position this year. 

"I think that anytime you see yourself first in the standings is quite nice, but to be first in futsal is great for the players and the program. Last year we lost our provincial spot to the host team who finished three spots below us in the table. To finish first and not have to worry about that again makes this extra special," he said.

This success has been built on solid performances throughout the season, with a focus on both individual talent and team discipline. Paulus notes how the team has learned to compete at the highest level with a renewed sense of belief. 

"What we learned is belief. We now know that we can play with anyone. We know that we have the top player in futsal with Peter Jones, and now we have also learned that we have the best keeper in the conference in Parys Ona MacArthur. Finally, I feel that the team learned that when we stay disciplined and do our jobs defensively, we will be very difficult to score against and this is what will be needed to win a championship," he said.

In their final preparations for the championship, the Ooks have fine-tuned their defensive strategy. Coach Paulus emphasizes the importance of team structure and discipline as they approach the critical matches. 

"We have mainly focused on doing our jobs defensively, matching our runners, and staying goal-side and inside. Other than that, we have trusted the players to create and gotten away from set routines or build out patterns," he said.

With a talented squad, including standouts like Jones and MacArthur, and a focus on disciplined defensive play, the Ooks are poised for a strong performance in the ACAC Championships. 

The journey to the title starts with belief, solid defense, and an unwavering commitment to their roles on the field. Championships will take place at Lakeland College; their first match is Friday, March 7th, at 10:30 AM! Go Ooks!