The Sunshine Coast U13 Adrenalin team battled hard on the frozen Cliff Gilker pitch against an undermanned yet determined Douglas Park Rangers on Saturday.
The visiting team could field only 10 players, but even being outplayed by the local boys, held them to a 0-0 halftime score. Early in the second half, Brendan Barnum broke up the left side, attacking the empty space in front. He drew a defender to him and neatly slid the ball through to Stashan Coady who calmly placed it in the far side of the net.
Josh Dannes, taking a rare turn on the front line, made it 2-0 for Adrenalin when he attacked the keeper on a 50-50 ball, deflecting the ball into the open goal. Adrenalin looked in complete control, only to have the Rangers get one back late in the game to make the final 2-1.
"It was a great win on a very cold morning," said coach John Lussier. "Joey Gignac was outstanding, playing the right back position, moving up to support the forwards when needed and hustling back on defence. Brendan Barnum also had a great game, making several rushes and accurate passes." U12 boysThe Coast Predators battled to a 3-3 tie with the North Vancouver Burrards on Saturday.
Under a light snowfall, the Predators took the field, needing to win in order to keep pace with the front running teams.
In the first minute, the Burrards passed the ball neatly and scored with a shot in the top corner at the ninth minute. The Burrards struck again and before the Predators could compose themselves, the Burrards scored their third in the 15th minute for a seemingly easy 3-0 lead.
With all the momentum on the Burrards side of the field, the North Van squad began to take liberties and became more aggressive, injuring Predators player Robbie Parsons who lost a tooth with a kick to the face and Tyler Jennens who was wearing a set of cleat marks on his knee. After two substitutions, the game resumed.
In the 25th minute the Predators were finally rewarded for winning the one-on-one battles with Oliver Williams, scoring off a scramble in front of their goal.
At halftime, the coaching staff reminded the Predators they were playing better than the score indicated and that they were not finished yet.
The team responded well from the pep talk and came out in the second half with better passing and more determination, being first to the loose balls and pressuring the Burrards.
In the 39th minute Nathan Eldsdon grabbed a loose ball, blew past a defender and the goalie and scored with a great ball low into the open net to cut the lead to 3-2.
With the score close and the Predators pressing, the Burrards became more physical with lots of elbows and hard tackles, even punches, trying to intimidate the Predators.
With two minutes remaining the Predators tied the score off a great run from Miles Baker driving a left footed ball past their keeper.
