The 2007/08 youth soccer season drew to a close with four divisional year-end tournaments last weekend.
The U15 boys came up with some exciting games, as every game was close with no blow outs.
Pender Harbour came up with their best game of the year as they fought the first place Bandidos to a 0-0 draw, challenging the final for game of the tournament. The Bandidos took on the Mike Guy coached team in the final. The Bandidos prevailed in a close, well played game. It was fitting that the league's first place team, the Bandidos, played Guy's second place team for all the marbles.
The U18 boys were flying with some very skilled and fast-paced games. Dan Hardwick's team took the year-end trophy as they edged George Cuthbertson's team in the final. The league play wound up with Michael Gabriel's team topping the standings.
The U15 girls finished a four-game round robin with the semifinal and final being played on Saturday.
League first place team was the Pender Harbour Untouchables, with the Green Gazelles placing second. The final for the year-end tournament saw these two teams meet to duel for the trophy. Dave Nanson's Green Gazelles edged Brent Sheppard's Untouchables in a close game settled in overtime with a 1-0 score. It was a game that either team could have won.
The U18 girls teams each played five games in their round robin. League Champion Supremes met Pender Harbour Posse in the final that saw some quality play. The Supremes took their third trophy of the year with a 2-0 score.
This is a good time to salute coach Dave Bradshaw, who has coached for many years. His teams have not always been competitive but have always been a happy bunch who finished each season better players than when they started. Dave always teaches skill, camaraderie and fun. No one meets the objectives of house league play better than him. Congratulations, Dave for your six consecutive trophy wins over the past two seasons. You get my vote for coach of the year.
