The U15 Thunderbirds did just about everything to win its game against top ranked KLM United in the League Cup final in Burnaby on Feb. 28.
But after an epic 18-shooter shootout, United was able to pull out the win.
With KLM having won every match of the season before dropping the last two amid discipline and suspension troubles, the Thunderbirds went in as clear underdogs but full of hope and determination.
The Thunderbirds found themselves unlucky 10-minutes in when a ball coming out of the sun bounced and quickly struck influential defender Jake Benner’s hand with little he could do about it. Though it appeared hand to ball, a penalty was given and neatly dispatched by KLM.
The Thunderbirds fought back and did not let United gather momentum and were rewarded with a free kick when the KLM keeper handled the ball outside the area. Striker Casey Baines stepped up, found a seam past the wall, and struck the ball just inside the bar to even the score at 1-1 with 15 minutes to go in the half.
The second half was end-to-end with both sides getting close to scoring several times. Co-captains and centre mid partners Will Magnussen and Cole Schutz worked tirelessly as Jake and centre back partner Quin Huibers strongly held the fort. Striker Kai Hansen perhaps felt unlucky not to win a penalty himself when he was taken down by the goalie.
With nothing to separate the sides at the final whistle, the championship would be decided by kicks from the penalty spot.
Thunderbirds shot first and scored their first two before keeper Isaac Oka made a great stop to go ahead. The T-Birds then had their fourth shot saved and KLM somehow thought they had won when they scored their fifth.
Once order was restored both teams would go on each missing their seventh shots. With the keepers thinking they would be up soon, The T-Birds missed on the ninth shot and United scored to win the Cup.
With six underage players on the squad, something none of their opposition contend with, the Thunderbirds had an exceptional season and hope to cap it off with a successful run in the Mayors Cup this weekend.
U12 girls
Storm played its final game of the season on Sunday, March 1 in Coquitlam against the Rockets.
With two wins and a tie in their last three games the Storm has been enjoying a strong season in the Vancouver league.
Storm started the first half of the game with lots of great defensive plays by Ella Campbell, Piper Goerzen, Olivia Tulk and Paige Clucas who worked their magic on the back line and kept the game scoreless through the first 30 minutes.
Mary Wood had a sensational game in net and her quick hands stopped many shots. Maya Yakasovich and Clara Pashkewych worked well in the mid-field and showed great skill with impressive give and go’s around the other team and strong passes to speedy wingers Teagan Sweet and Leela Fernandes who worked hard to be first to the ball.
Faye Duffy and Koenn Sauer showed patience and created openings up front hoping to put the ball into the net, but a goal was not in the cards.
The Rocket’s were able to score on a free kick near the 18-yard line midway through the second half and then again on a breakaway for the 2-0 win.
U16 boys
With back-to-back decisive victories over the Marpole Lions and the Vancouver Predators the past couple of weekends, the U16 Scorpions secured a wildcard berth in the league’s final games.
In its 4-0 win over the Lions, the team stepped up with no spare players.
Rock solid support on the wings combined with fearless goaltending from Keeran Peel and Xavier Benjamin allowed the Scorpions to get three goals from Duncan Armstrong and another from Everett August.
In the 2-1 win over the Predators last weekend, both teams battled hard.
Vancouver took a 1-0, lead but the Scorpions responded accordingly and by the end of the first half, a penalty shot goal from Jordan Kammerle and a stunning volley from Xavier sternly reminded the Predators of the Scorpions’ stinging challenge.
The Scorpions keeper and defensive line held out against the Predators’ attack until late in the half. Liam Rankin and Everett August attested the depth of stamina on the Scorpions bench, and Keegan Inkster, Phillip Fogarty, Ben Luporini, Bryce Pierre and Evan Griffin responded with outstanding offensive play. Finn Rogers, Jake Simpkins and Justin Fodchuk were also strong on defence.
U11 boys
A strong season came to an end last weekend in Vancouver, as Sunshine United dropped its final game to the Killarney Rockets.
Taiyo Blackwell opened the scoring with a real dig in front of the net, a quick pass from Colby Elson, gave Taiyo the second he needed to send the ball to the back of the net.
The Rockets tried to answer back with a one-on-one that goalie Cameron Wentzell handled with ease.
But before the whistle could blow for halftime, the Rockets were able to tie it up.
The second half started strong with both teams playing end-to-end, but it was the Rockets who took the lead and kept on running.
United tried hard making play after play. Brett Bjornson with a bounce off the cross bar and Kai Maniwa Brodie with a beautiful shot that just went an inch too wide.
Cameron made the save of the year, scooping the ball back just inches from the goal line keeping United in the game. Julian Woodin, Alex Hart and Sierra Ryden all played strong games on defence. Mid-fielders Owen Watson and Kai Maniwa Brodie did their part with some great passing and Callum Christiansen, Diego Bagjer and Brett Bjornson, fought like warriors to the very end.
Although they lost their last game of the season this group of boys fought hard all season and were able to walk away with one of the best win averages in their grouping.
