The Orangeville Athletics Division One has been facing a tough battle this season after the York Region Soccer League made changes at the start of the year.

Clubs from the Huronia District that played previously in the York Region League dropped out of the League and brought all their team’s back to their home district league.

The result was a shortage of teams and the York Region League restructured the remaining teams resulting in higher division teams being dropped down to the Division One level.

Previously there was Elite, Premier, and Division One levels in the League, but after restructuring the Premier division is gone leaving higher ranked players filtering down to lower divisions.

“Of all the teams in our division, there’s only one team we played from last year. All the other teams are new teams,” Explained Athletics coach Colette Smith. “We’ve had a difficult season this year. We’ve had some injuries. We have a couple of new girls who are playing their first year in this league so the intensity of the league is something they have to get used to. But you can see them getting better and passing around more. It’s not just a kick and run game in this league.”

After 11 games into the season the squad has won two games, lost eight and tied two.  That can be expected when you are suddenly taking on new more competitive teams.

There are six teams in the Division One line-up this season.

Last year, the Athletics ended the season in second place with a 5-5-2 record.

Their most recent outing on Sunday, August 17, resulted in a 2-2 tie against the Richmond Hill Raiders in a well played game that showed what a tenacious team the can be.

“We’ve struggle in this division, but the girls are just now coming together as a team and getting to know each other” Smith said. “They’re coming into their own now, and excited about what they are going to do next year. I’m sure we’re going to have some new girls next year.”

Currently, striker Timara Stuck is leading the team in scoring with five goals followed by Jessica Keller, Sydney Duncan, and Shelby Keller.

The Athletics will be back in action this Sunday, August 24, to host the Aurora Stingers on the soccer pitch at Rotary Park in Orangeville.

Game time is 1:30 p.m.