Weekend sweep

Tony Colistro said Paul Dillon was just getting his feet wet last summer.

The second-year Thunder Bay Chill defender’s shoes were drenched by the time Sunday’s matinee rematch with the Winnipeg Lions.

Dillon blasted home the game’s first goal in the 11th minute, then scored the final one on a penalty kick in the 44th minute, powering the Chill to a 4-0 win to complete the weekend friendly sweep.

The wins, though meaningless in the Premier Development League standings, were nonetheless a great way to kick off a season that holds plenty of promise for the Chill, in search of a second championship in franchise history.

“It gives us a little bit of confidence. It felt good to play against different opposition. We’ve been training all week since we’ve been her against each other,” Dillon said.

“So you kind of learn the ins and outs of each other …. We’re playing together, starting to gel a little bit, starting to get the feel of last year, getting the new guys in with the returning guys.”

Colistro, the only coach the Chill has known, said unlike last year’s overhaul, there are a lot of familiar faces on the pitch this time around.

It shows, he added.

“Last year was almost a full squad that came in and this year we’re returning at least half the players. It’s a lot easier for them to understand each other,” Colistro said.

That noted, it’s one thing to do well against a men’s division team like Lions. WSA Winnipeg next weekend on the road, the start of PDL play for the Chill, is a completely different story.

That’s where experience counts.

“It’s going to be new for some. The guys that were here last year know (Winnipeg) and know the way they like to play, so we’re going to work on and hopefully we’ll be able to penetrate and get ahead right away.”

More of the same from the Virginia-born Dillon is a definite must, Colistro said.

“Paul has been super. We’ve been tracking him since he left us last summer. He had a stellar season at Marquette University and he’s just been improving every day. We see a big difference. He was a great player last year, but this year he’s going to be a strength for us in everything he does.”

African import Kwame Bodwin Addai and Dominic Roberts, with his fifth goal in two days, scored the other Chill goals.
Stephen Paterson and Daniel Alvarado split playing time in nets, combining to earn the shutout win.

Pitch marks: Colistro said it looks like reigning PDL most valuable player Sullivan Silva will be sidelined for at least three weeks, adding the Chill will take every precaution and not rush him back … The Chill will be playing at the rebranded TBayTel Field at Chapples Park this summer.