The North Mississauga SC’s men’s League1 Ontario side travel to Aurora, Ontario to take on Aurora FC. The Panthers are looking to continue their positive start to the 2019 season which sees them have a great afternoon on the road on Saturday against Aurora FC. 

The Panthers are 2-0-1 this year only allowing one goal, which came in their first game in a tie against Unionville Milliken FC. The team’s head coach, Aleks Balta, said the team’s defensive performance has been key to their success. 

“Our goalkeeper has come up strong when we did give up chances,” said Balta. 

But despite the team’s good performance, Aurora has been nearly equally good, having two wins, a loss and a tie so far this year. Balta knows that the Panthers cannot get too cocky from their great start. 

“They’re a good possession team, we know we’re going to have be defensively sound,” said Balta. “They have quite a few dangerous players … we’re going to have to find the areas to help us create chances.” 

The Panthers were helped with two weeks off to recover from injuries. The Panthers had their game against ProStars FC in Brampton postponed last Saturday due to inclement weather. Balta confirmed that Sundin Esperance, who has missed two games this year due to injury, will be back in the line-up for the game against Aurora. 

This is the second to last road game the Panthers play before they make it back to the comfy confines of Paramount Fine Foods Centre on June 14th. Balta said it’s tougher to play in arenas where you don’t have as much familiarity and are excited to get back home, but there have also been fans who have travelled to cheer on the team and Balta is appreciative of their support as well. 

“We’ve got great fans,” said Balta. “They are really loud and they gave us an edge.” 

The Panthers will be playing at Stewart Burnett Park in Aurora on June 1st at 4 p.m.

GO PANTHERS!