Parity is the new theme for the expanded Bow Valley Soccer League, which is now well under way for the 2014 season with more teams, better officiating and an expanded schedule of competitive play.
Riding the wave of World Cup popularity, the international-flavoured BVSL is now up to six teams, with two more seeking spots in the now-crowded summer schedule. Perennial favourites Sushi House and Canmore United are challenged by an improved Earls team this season, while Fairmont Lake Louise is back in the league after a two-year absence. Banff Springs Hotel and the Pump & Tap also look competitive in early season play, as the Springs has managed to surprise several teams early on with a potent offence.
Sushi House has struggled early on, but found its way back into the winner’s circle on Sunday (June 29) with a 2-1 victory over Pump & Tap at the Banff Rec Grounds. Ben McGinn and Yuki Matsumoto scored two timely goals for Sushi House, after Pump & Tap dominated possession for much of the game.
Sushi House looked poised to give the game away early in the second half, as they awarded several free kicks to Pump & Tap, but McGinn’s marker turned the tide and was enough on the day for the victory.
“We kept working hard today. We kept the ball on the floor as much as we could. Ben had a great finish for a second goal,” said Sushi House’s Dean Smolicz
He praised the team’s competitive spirit on the day, as they refused to give in as Pump & Tap sent wave after wave of dangerous attacks at their net. They’ll need to be better still next week against arch-rival United, but Smolicz believes they will only improve.
“We’ve got a few more players coming back. It’s a big game against United this week and hopefully we can keep this little run going,” he said.
Matsumoto, arguably the best striker in the league, said Sushi House has to play better if they want to win another league title.
“Today, we just kept running, running, running everywhere. We didn’t have any good plays, but we just ran so much,” Matsumoto said. “We’re playing a bit bad this year, but it keeps getting better. This week was better and hopefully we’ll get more players in time.”
In other BVSL action on June 29, Earls dropped the Banff Springs Hotel 3-1, while Canmore United thumped Lake Louise 10-2. The league resumes this Sunday (July 6). The league runs until Aug. 31, although teams agreed to take a break for the World Cup final on July 13.
