The Mid-Isle Soccer Club’s U15 Spartans boys’ team earned a silver medal in the club’s House League Tournament March 9-10.
The Spartans won their first game 3-0 against Qualicum 2. Ben Pakosz earned the shutout, making some quality saves when needed, explained co-coach Rob Griffin.
The second game of the tournament was another victory. The Spartans won 5-2 in a game Griffin describes as very physical but one that saw the Spartans overmatch their opponents with skill and determination. Deriq Danois,Colton Lajeunesse and Jake Griffin scored in the win.
In the final, the Spartans lost 2-0 to Qualicum 1, and Griffin says the score didn’t justify how well his team played.
“The score was 0-0 till the 20th minute in the second half,” he said. “They scored by a perfect shot from the 18-yard line. There was nothing our keeper, Ben Pakosz, could have done. Kyle Kulak on defense deserves praise. He stopped Qualicum’s strikers anytime they tried to bring it in our half. We had probably four or five quality chances but couldn’t capitalize in the final 15 minutes. Qualicum 1 got their second goal in the last minute of play.
“Sometimes, it isn’t your day. Both teams were evenly matched, and they have a really well coached team over there, along with quality players.”
Deriq Danois led the Spartans in scoring during the tournament with three goals. Jake Griffin had two.
Griffin says Wyatt Hutt, Colton Lajeunesse and Taylor deSouza dominated the middle of the field, and Grayson Mcdonald, as a rookie, did an “amazing” job filling in for those three veterans at midfield, and the team “didn’t miss a beat.”
The Spartans have one more game coming up in April for the Island Invitational Cup Final.
The game, which takes place April 28 in Victoria, is winner-take-all and will see the Spartans represent the Upper Island District against the top team in the Lower Island District.
“We get one of our top defencemen back for this game, who had to be away for the tournament,” said Griffin. “Teegan Lance is one of our MVPs during the year, and we sure missed him for the tournament.
“I know we can win, but either way, Rob Lajeunesse and I are proud of these boys. The quality of soccer they produce is exciting to watch.”