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Dawson Junction team wins third straight soccer title

It has been over a year since an under-16 soccer title remained in Whitehorse following a championship.
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It has been over a year since an under-16 soccer title remained in Whitehorse following a championship.

The Dawson City-Haines Junction FC picked up its third straight title in U16 at the Yukon Soccer Outdoor Championships on Sunday at Vanier Catholic Secondary.

“We’ve been playing together since we were like seven, and joining up with Haines Junction is really good. We have a really strong team right now,” said mid fielder Ethan Gaw. “Everyone is really good right now. No weak spots or anything.”

The DCHJFC won the U16 title at last year’s outdoor championships and the U16 title at the Northwestel Indoor Soccer Championships in February.

“It’s pretty much the same team,” said DCHJFC coach Irwin Gaw. “This is a great group of kids. Not just soccer players, but great citizens of our community and Yukon.”

DCHJFC went undefeated in five matches over the weekend (posting a 5-5 tie with Coates Services in the round robin) and took gold with a 6-0 win over All-Terrane Mineral Services in the final.

“It was good that we had a good game at the end,” said Ethan. “It was a tough game. Even though it was 6-0, it seemed like less.”

DCHJFC’s Josh Dulac of Haines Junction started things off with two first-half goals, the second on a header. Kacie Hastings, Sam Crocker, Ethan and Jack Amos also logged goals in final.

Total North and Coates Services tied for third as both teams had to default the bronze match due to a lack of players.

“That was the only Whitehorse team that had a full squad, so it was good to play them in the end,” said Irwin. “There were a bunch of defaulted games throughout the tournament, unfortunately …

“It was a really well run tournament. Whitehorse Minor Soccer does a great job. It was fun. The kids love to come down; it’s part of the highlight of their soccer summer.”

Vector the victor in U13

The tougher the win, the sweeter it is, says Vector Research player Abby Rich.

“It was a very intense game, but that makes the victory even better,” said Rich.

“We won most of our league games, but all the teams were pretty even. I think it was just luck – a couple players bursting through and scoring.”

Vector Research went undefeated to take gold in U13 over the weekend. The team produced four straight wins, three coming by just one goal, including the final.

Vector squeaked out a 4-3 win over The Deli in the final with a come-from-behind effort.

Trailing 3-2 with five minutes left, Rich scored her second of the match on a corner kick (deflected off a Deli player) to tie it.

Emmett Ross scored Vector’s second goal and Dylan Currie scored the game-winner in double over time on a short shot in front.

“I’ve been coaching Whitehorse minor since my kid was under seven and this is about my 15th team, and today is my first victory coaching these kids,” said Vector coach Chris Ross. “I’ve lost in the final several times, so it feels pretty good.”

Rich was “the player of the tournament out of all the teams,” added Chris.

The Deli’s Nathan Scully scored two goals and Ivan Johnson one in the final.

Yukon Pump took the bronze with a 7-0 win over the Smart Phone Guy. Simon Hassard scored twice for Pump.

“Connor Cozens was dominant,” said Rich of her teammate. “Every time he passed down the wing, he’d cross it and we’d usually score. And Kaelen Lewis was one of the best players because he’d always pass, could shoot, score and get around people, too.”

Contact Tom Patrick at tomp@yukon-news.com