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Canmore soccer teams duel for gold

"That’s a moment we’re never going to forget," said Jack Summerhays after winning gold.

REVELSTOKE – It might have taken place in a different province, but with gold and bragging rights on the line, a battle of Canmore spilled out in Revelstoke.

The U12 boys’ teams of Canmore Minor Soccer, known as Canmore A and Canmore B, fought it out for top prize in the Revelstoke Soccer Tournament on Sunday (Sept. 8) with Canmore B upsetting its local counterparts.

Dominic Houston was clutch, scoring the game’s lone goal in the final five minutes, which left his teammates in awe afterward, said centre midfielder Jack Summerhays.

“We were speechless,” Summerhays said. “We ran to our goalie and were so happy; everyone was cheering and speechless … that’s a moment we’re never going to forget; the Canmore B team beating the A team.”

While gold was up for grabs, so was a bit of payback in the season ending tournament. In June, Canmore A blew out Canmore B, 8-0, at a tournament in Invermere.

It wasn’t an easy loss to forget and the B boys had an entire summer to think about redemption.

“We were all waiting [for the rematch],” said Summerhays.

For Joseph Fitzsimmons, Canmore B’s head coach, he said there was extra motivation stewing inside his team in the gold medal game.

“Canmore A is such a good team with awesome players and coaches, but we wanted it more,” said Fitzsimmons. “To win 1-0 was pretty good to see. I knew my players wanted it and were determined.”

After Saturday’s round robin, Canmore B went undefeated to make it to the finals, which surprised the head coach.

During the regular season, Canmore B went 2-9 and struggled to find its game. But regardless of record, the team found success when it mattered.

In Sunday’s finals, the stage was set for the two U12 Canmore teams, and Canmore B came out looking to win.

“In the second half, our team was playing really well and the other team had to step it up … they thought it was going to be an easy win,” said Summerhays.

The intensity picked up with time winding down and then Canmore B drew first blood and Houston scored what would be the golden goal.

“[Canmore A] started pressing really hard, they really wanted it bad,” said Summerhays.

As Canmore A went all in on an offensive attack, Fitzsimmons called out to his players from the sidelines to emphasize on defence.

“I was surprised they didn’t get one on the goal … it was a super, super close game,” Fitzsimmons said.

Canmore B held off the late surge to keep the game at 1-0.

Despite the rivalry over the summer, Summerhays said the players from the local teams are friends off the field.


Jordan Small

About the Author: Jordan Small

An award-winning reporter, Jordan Small has covered sports, the arts, and news in the Bow Valley since 2014. Originally from Barrie, Ont., Jordan has lived in Alberta since 2013.
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