This season the U15 Storm FC Sunshine Coast boys soccer team has battled and endured a new level of challenge. Playing in the elite Gold Tier 1 division has pushed the team to be even better and work harder than ever before, and it has created a new kind of excellence that was on full display last weekend at the Cliff Gilker pitch under the only blue skies for miles around.
This was a North Shore Cup game against the North Vancouver FC Mavericks, a team that has been a serious rival over the last few years and one that cannot be taken lightly. Riding high after a fantastic 4-2 division game win two weeks ago against South Burnaby Thunderbirds at the same pitch, the Storm knew this game was special – win or get knocked out of the Cup.
There seemed some lingering sleepiness in our Storm to start the game as they rather quickly, in the first 10 minutes or so, went down 0-2. Through some serious hard pushing offence though, a free kick superbly slotted home brought the boys some hope and made it 1-2 at the half.
After that sluggish first half where they were clearly not in the game, the coaches delivered the wisdom and motivation needed to bring the team back to compete. The second half fired up and the game moved so fast the fans, referees and coaches from both sides were mesmerized.
The Storm quickly brought the score up 2-2 with what they learned about the Mavericks from the first half. The ball was constantly moving cleanly up and down the field and the Storm made it a 3-2 game soon. The Mavericks were a very coordinated team that knew where to put the ball and how to hustle, which led to their last goal of the game to make it 3-3.
From then on it was the quickest high energy push we have ever seen from the Storm – they never let up, the entire group launched into overdrive and made it 4-3. With cameras clicking and fans riveted to the pitch, the score evolved awesomely to 5-3 for the Storm. Defensive relentlessness, goal keeper agility and speed, mid-field supremacy and forward striker brilliance led to the final goal of the game and a 6-3 victory for our incredible local boys.
They will now play in the final of the North Shore Cup sometime in the new year and continue to shake up their Gold Tier 1 division, whoever they play in the Lower Mainland. It seems they have found the confidence and energy level that is clearly needed to play competitively at this high level. It truly is an awesome sight to see.
– By Patrick Fitzsimons
