The future just might be now for the McMath Wildcats.
The Steveston school continued its reign as Vancouver and District girls ‘AAA’ soccer champions with a well-earned 1-0 win over the Kitsilano Blue Demons on Tuesday at Minoru Park. The feat was hardly a given since the Blue Demons sit at No. 4 in the provincial rankings while the honourable mention Wildcats have just one Grade 12 in their starting 11.
Yet, they played beyond their years with a tactical and fearless performance that certainly bodes well at the provincial championships two weeks from now in Burnaby.
Their youth was showcased in the game’s only goal midway through the opening half as Grade 10 midfielder Dakota Chan’s superb through ball was run down by tireless Grade 9 striker Kayla Nimchuk. Her cross from the left side was neatly re-directed by Grade 11 Lauren Dickson.
The Wildcats had other chances to pad their lead but also were very sound defensively— anchored by senior captain Georgia Booker at centre back. Goalkeepers Samantha Trueman and Ashley Pye shared the shutout.
“I don’t think a lot of people expected this team to win V&Ds again,” smiled coach Paul Pedersen. “Kits are a strong side and we are very young. But I think these girls have the belief and know how to win.
“They can play different types of football too. It can be very pretty and it can be ugly too, if that’s what it takes to get it done. I am a very proud coach and proud of this group. I would like to say its hard work but with these guys it’s not. They make my life very easy.”
More-experienced McMath teams have been snake-bitten at the B.C. tourney in recent years — being denied semi-final berths on penalty shootout tiebreakers the past three seasons. This young group won’t have the same expectations and perhaps are even naive enough to the pressure to deliver a breakthrough performance.
The 16-team event will feature a whopping seven schools from the highly-competitive Fraser Valley zone. North Shore and Vancouver Island representation are always strong and Kelowna is expected to be competitive too. McMath is well-positioned to be a major force for the next two years at least but why not start now.
“For our team to have two strong (V&D playoff) games against Lord Byng and Kits sure helps. Finishing first checks off one our goals this season. Now we will see if we can get out of our group at provincials. It should be a fun little ride and we will see how it goes,” added Pedersen.
Corner kicks….
McRoberts Strikers fell just one win short of their bid to advance to the provincial “AA” championships.
The Strikers dropped a 2-0 decision to York House on Wednesday at Hugh Boyd in a battle for the final Vancouver/Richmond berth. A day earlier, they fell 3-0 to Notre Dame.
The McNair Marlins earlier lost 4-0 to Little Flower Academy.
