After opening the season with back-to-back shutouts and a share of first place, Stonewall United saw its perfect start halted in a 2-1 loss to Dunvegan Castle on Tuesday at Buhler Recreation Park.
United were in position to push for a third straight win after Chris Hunter scored to level the match 1-1. But a rare defensive lapse shortly after allowed Dunvegan to regain the lead — and that’s where the score stayed.
“Tough case of shooting ourselves in the foot and it costing us and uncharacteristic mistakes that we haven’t had yet and it ended up costing us,” said United’s Matt Olnick.
The loss also ended goalkeeper Steffan Hillock’s shutout streak after two strong performances to open the Manitoba Major Soccer League Division 3A season.
Hillock was perfect again through most of the first half until Dunvegan became the first team this season to beat him.
“He definitely had to put on his work pants and make some saves for us and I mean it could have been a lot worse,” said Olnick. “He kept us in it, but unfortunately, we couldn’t repay him the favour and get a goal or two for him.”
The result leaves United 2-1 on the year, still in strong early-season position but with plenty to clean up ahead of a busy stretch that includes three of their next five games on home field at Stonewall Veterans Memorial Sports Complex.
Before that, they’ll hit the road again for their fourth straight away game Thursday night against YFC FC. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Buhler.
Then, United will host their long-awaited home opener Friday, June 6, against 313FC.
“We want to bounce back and get this taste out of our mouth and get back to the winning ways,” said Olnick. “We can show we can be a very dominant and strong team in this league, and this division, and we want to keep it that way, so I think it’s unfortunate, you know, you’re not going to win them all, but yeah definitely want to get right back out there and play the way that Stonewall knows how to play.”
