The Sunshine Coast U15 Thunderbirds started off the new youth soccer season in fine fashion with a third-place finish at a tournament in Maple Ridge over the Labour Day long weekend.
Without a U14 rep team this year, five of the new Thunderbirds are playing up a division and what better place for everyone to get to know each other than on the field of battle?
The first game saw the Thunderbirds dominate South Burnaby United, but they failed to bury their chances before going down 1-0 in the first half.
After the break, attacking midfielder Cole Schutz set up Casey Baines and Kai Hansen for two thunderous goals and a 2-1 win.
The second game saw the Thunderbirds up against eventual tourney winners Burnaby Metro Selects that ended in an intense 0-0 draw.
Things may have been different if not for a near miss by Simeon Campbell with an audacious overhead kick and what looked to be a penalty when Kai was brought down in the box in the closing moments. The relentless running of centre mid Elliot Wadge, stellar goal keeping of Isaac Oka and rock-solid defending of vet Will Magnussen, Nicholas Davis and game MVP Quin Huibers made it very tough for opponents all weekend.
Sunday started off with a bang as Casey exploded for two goals in the first half with one almost ripping the net from 20 yards. Jamie Mundy, Coulter Prestage and Julian Miles kept things moving on the wings and Sean Pletz helped anchor the midfield. The second half saw the PEFC team get on the board with a penalty kick, but they had only a moment to hold hope before Casey in devastating form smashed two breakaway goals in three minutes to secure a 4-1 win and his second MVP medal of the tourney.
With identical records, the Selects beat out the Thunderbirds on goals and the Thunderbirds were to meet Surrey United for third place.
Early in the match the boys faced and overcame adversity when a still rampaging Casey was brought down from behind by the last defender in what should have been a certain red card, and saw only a free kick and Casey leave the match injured.
Surrey took advantage and opened the scoring before Kai went out injured to join three others too banged up to play.
With less than 10 minutes left in the match, Surrey scored to go up 2-0, yet the Thunderbirds refused to go quietly. Cole dug out the ball and sent Kai in on a breakaway, where he held off the defender and beat the keeper with only injury time left on the clock. An outstanding MVP performance by defender Angelo Pinsonnault continued with him winning the ball deep in T-Birds territory, and with great inter-passing by Noah Woodwin and Henry Larsen, out-battling players twice his size, Kai again found himself breaking free in on goal only to be brought down for a penalty.
With the last kick of the game, Cole Schutz stepped up to take the spot kick and calmly put it in the corner, adding a goal to his six assists, while securing the 2-2 tie and a third place finish and sending the team, coaches and families into ecstatic celebration.
An undefeated weekend and a great bonding experience left everyone in smiles and full of confidence as the Thunderbirds look forward to an exciting new season.
U11 Boys
Sunshine Coast United FC, U11 Boys rep team opened the season with a 5-0 loss.
The score was not a reflection of their hard work and dedication to the game. Their goalie, Cameron Wentzel, was amazing between the posts.
This excellent group of boys know they have their work cut out for them and are geared up for their first home game Saturday Sept. 13, at Piccadilly field.
