Stringent defending, goalkeeping helped WolfPack to program-best start

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Stringent defence and stout goalkeeping are emerging as team attributes, with TRU allowing one goal in four matches. 

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Antulov said the back line is populated by mature, smart players who are getting help from responsible midfielders. 

“I think cohesion is the biggest thing,” WolfPack captain and defender Domenico Comita said. “The most important thing is it’s so unified, from our goalie, to our centrebacks, to our midfield, fullbacks and up front.” 

Crompton said a change in formation (playing with three at the back) and the reliability of goalkeeper Matteo Lamon have contributed to stinginess. 

“Matteo’s great,” Crompton said. “He is yelling loud all game. He’s coming out for all the balls. He’s exactly what you want as a centreback from a goalkeeper.”  

Added Comita: “He’s out there with energy. He’s giving the guys a good boost from the back and he’s calm on the ball.” 

Lamon played last season for the Douglas College Royals of the Pacific Western Athletic Association and honed his skills with Coquitlam-based Ares Football Academy, which has become a pipeline for WolfPack soccer. TRU midfielders Amir Ghasemi and Sepehr Iravani are also Ares products. 

The 6-foot-3 goalkeeper Lamon emerged from an open competition in the pre-season with the starting job and has posted three clean sheets in four regular-season starts. 

“I was not expecting to start, to be fair,” said Lamon, who has allowed one goal on 14 shots. “It could have been either way. I think we’re all great goalkeepers and it’s really like the quality is pushing us to fight for first position.” 

Crompton, Comita and Liam Freathy have been anchoring the back line, but depth appears to be a strength.

“We’ve had a rotation of close to five or six guys just due to injuries, suspensions and stuff like that and we’re not missing a beat when it comes to the defensive side of the ball,” Antulov said. 

The Victoria Vikes (1-1) are scheduled to host the WolfPack on Friday [Sept. 11] on Vancouver Island. TRU is scheduled to play the Fraser Valley Cascades (1-2-1) on Saturday [Sept. 12] in Abbotsford. 

Neither Barazandeh nor Comita (who scored a pair of pretty goals at practice Tuesday) are expected to be pencilled in up front this weekend. 

“I’m not coming after [WolfPack forward Lachlan Will’s] job,” Comita chortled. “Today was a fun day. Maybe Lachlan is a little bit afraid, but I think we’ll be all right. I think Lachlan is going to hold that position up front, for sure.”