For the under-nine soccer team Yukoninfo.com, the competition starts before the first kick of the ball - before the team even takes the field.
“Our starting seven are the kids who showed up first to the field, so it was a real competition to be on the field at the beginning,” said coach Drew Whittaker. “That’s the attitude you want. These kids have their favourite positions, but they did what was in the interest of the team.”
Yukoninfo.com’s passion to play served them well this season. The team, which nicknamed themselves the Blue Mustangs, went undefeated all season to win U9 gold at the 2015 Yukon Outdoor Soccer Championships at Vanier Catholic Secondary on Sunday.
“They had the right attitude, they really wanted to play,” said Whittaker.
“I’ve coached for a few years and these are a special bunch of kids and I hope they stay in the game.”
The Blue Mustangs clinched gold with a 3-1 win over Castle Rock Enterprises in the final. Leading the way for the Blue Mustangs, who won 13 straight matches this season, was Beau Yurchak-Lovelace with two goals in the final.
“It’s nice to score, but it’s also nice to assist,” said Yurchak-Lovelace. “I was feeling good when all of a sudden I had a breakaway and boom - goal!”
“I also like that the team is awesome. They pass and they make sure everyone is OK.”
The Blue Mustangs’ other scorer was Gavin McKenna. Hudson Sias scored for Castle Rock.
“I made quite a few saves and I’m happy about that,” said Blue Mustangs goalkeeper Isaiah Fraser. “I let in one goal and I’m proud I didn’t let in three others.
“Leo (Whittaker) played really good defence and Gavin (McKenna) played really well trying to push up and score,” he added. “I’m so proud we won gold. I’ve never won gold before, I usually win silver.”
Murraya Dental drilled Yukon Yamaha 6-1 to capture the U9 bronze. Bryn Studney-Amos scored a hat trick for Murraya in the match.
Tim Hortons evades Gators’ bite
One team got gold medals and Timbits on Sunday.
Tim Hortons out-scored the Gators 3-1 to take gold in the U10 final.
“We pulled together as a team, everyone did their best and we had great goaltending from Cameron (Geier) and Myles (Terry),” said Hortons coach Doug Terry.
“The teams were close going into this final game. It was a nice win for us for sure.”
Tim Hortons’ Ryder Brulotte scored twice and teammate Cassi Cebuliak once in the final. Ashton Payne scored for the Gators.
The Yellow Bombers defeated the Sliders 6-0 for bronze. Bombers’ Gabby Hassard scored her first two career goals in the match.
Wild Bunch squeaks out win in final
The Wild Bunch didn’t look like medal contenders at the start of the season, but they took the best medal of all at the end - despite missing a key player.
“We were fairly weak all season and then came up,” said Wild Bunch coach Deb Wild. “Our best player (Sawyer Adams) wasn’t here for the final game and we still did well.”
In the closest championship match on the day, the Wild Bunch claimed U11 gold with a tight 2-1 win over Locksmith Services in the final.
Emerson Wild and Lucas Henders scored for the Wild Bunch and Kade Bringsli put one in for the Locksmith crew.
“There was lots of positive energy with the kids, gave them a position to play and they got better and better,” said Deb. “I’m really pleased with the team. They’ve excelled incredibly and they’ve all been really positive players. It’s been great.”
The Deli sliced up a 2-1 double-overtime win over the Panthers for the bronze. Deli’s Ty Beacon scored both of his team’s goals in the match.
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com