Although Titan Gaming took only a quarter the shots on net that Sportslife did in the second half, two of their four attempts found the back of the net to avoid the loss in a 8-8 tie Monday in U13 soccer action at the Canada Games Centre.
After holding the lead for most of the first, in the second half Titan Gaming let the lead slip, eventually falling behind 8-7 with a goal by Sportslife’s Colin Kabanak with 5:37 to play. However, with exactly a minute left, Wynn White scored his second goal of the game on a short shot from the top of the goal box, putting it in waist high just inside the right post.
As the first game since the holiday break, the contest is excluded from the regular season standings.
“The first game after the break they usually only schedule a practice,” said Sportslife coach Peggy Dorosz. “It doesn’t count towards the standings, but typically we’d practise for 15 minutes and have a scrimmage anyway.”
Finishing the first half down 6-3, Sportslife came to life quickly in the second, scoring on their third shot just 50 seconds in. The goal came off the foot of Brendyn Gendron, his second of the game.
“They had a bit of a let down I guess,” said Titan coach Tim Anderson. “We changed goalies, and they got a couple in a row there.”
Sportslife scored again less than a minute later on their very next shot — the first of two consecutive goals by Owen Hedstrom-Langford.
“They were down and they just wanted to come on a little stronger,” said Dorosz. “It’s not like they changed their game — they’re always trying to score, that’s their ultimate glory.
“I think it was just a matter of getting focused.”
An attempt at “glory” could be seen on the other side of the field when Titan’s second-half goalkeeper, Dylan Reed — who scored his team’s first two goals and registered a third later on — in an unprecedented move, left his goal box to bring the ball past half and took a shot on net in minute 41.
“They all want to try to score no matter what position they’re playing,” said Anderson, who’s sentiment is matched by Dorosz.
“You definitely have to encourage them to pass it around and make a play, as opposed to going to the net all the time,” she said. “But they’re getting better at it.
“That’s minor soccer.”
Playing in net for Titan in the first half was Eric Hansen, who was named his team’s MVP.
“He had a good game,” said Anderson. “He plays the most in goal, he’s getting better all the time.”
Kabanak took the MVP nod for Sportslife.
“He played a good all-around game,” said Dorosz. “He worked hard, played hard and has demonstrated a really good attitude tonight.”
Other goal scorers for Titan were Emily White, Chrissy Anderson and Aiden Uiterwall.
Making the tie possible were Sportslife’s Emily Dorosz, Steven Qiu and Julianna Campbell, who each scored one.
Contact Tom Patrick at tomp@yukon-news.com