A solid performance from the Sunshine Coast Eagles rep U15 boys’ soccer team led them to victory in their first cup game of the season.
Harrison Watson started off the scoring with an opportunistic aerial shot over the opposing keeper, followed by a second goal from Jimi Martin. Jimi back-wheeled around the opposing defender, turned and scored. Alex Piepjohn sent a rocket from 30 yards to score the team’s third goal. Watson then intercepted the opponent’s goal kick, taking a screamer from 25 yards with a knuckle ball for goal number four. Julian Rohlicek assisted the final goal of the game by stealing the ball from a defender, thereby assisting Jimi in getting his second goal and the team’s fifth in the game.
The Eagles’ strong defensive performance by Derek Ewen, Nelson McKenzie and Bryan Rono made shots on their goal difficult. Bryan tracked down the strong opposing offence relentlessly throughout the game. The Eagles’ goalie, Camden Verlaan, had an impressively strong performance with consistently accurate long throws. Camden only conceded one goal after a deflection, making for a 5:1 final score.
Coaches River Rohlicek and Jeremy Hamp are really proud of the game the boys played. They feel the Eagles demonstrated how well they’re integrating the techniques and drills that they’ve been working on in practice, adding to the already strong, supportive culture they have as a team. There’s no doubt the responsibility for the win lies with the entire team and how well they move the ball throughout all the players and around the field.
The Eagles now have a bye, which takes them directly to the final of the four-district cup to be played at the end of February 2017 at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex. The next scheduled games are Oct. 29 and Nov. 19 at 1:30 p.m. at Kinnikinnick playing fields.
