The Banff Springs soccer club is in grasping distance of their first Bow Valley Soccer League title ever after a 2-1 win over Canmore United on Sunday (Aug. 18) at the Banff Rec Grounds.
Alec Sweeney scored both goals for the Springs, which needs one more win to clinch the title. They’ll face off against Canmore again next week for their first shot at league glory in ages.
“We know Canmore is a hell of a team. Playing them twice in the final two weeks, both are must-wins for us if we’re to win the league for the first time in history, which would be nice for us,” said player coach Michael Lombardi. “We’ve been working hard all season and the boys have done a hell of a job.”
Canmore jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first 10 minutes of play when striker Chris Piercey found ample time and space at the left side of the Springs net, allowing him to feather in the first marker of the match.
The ease of the goal appeared to frustrate the Springs, who struggled with a few bouts of selfish play before settling back into their possession-based attack before the end of the first half.
Slowly, the younger, faster Springs team took control of the play and peppered the Canmore goaltender with several brilliant shots. Sweeney finally broke through with a laser beam of a shot from the top of the box that found the corner to knot the game 1-1.
While the Springs’ offensive speed and agility was tough on Canmore, the Springs’ defence diffused most every dangerous attack that entered the offensive zone. Green and white striped shirts suffocated the Canmore attack for the entire second half.
Offensively, the Springs moved the ball with ease, showing plenty of flair, but not enough finish. It took a slow, misplaced kick from in tight to finally spark the offence, as Sweeney recorded perhaps the ugliest goal of his prolific season.
Lombardi, who is out with injury, said the team has put in the hours to form a winning team, plus recruited some great talent. Their main centre-defencemen is now in with Lombardi on the sidelines, but the entire team has stepped up its play.
“We’ve got a young group together that has that desire to win,” Lombardi said. “That young core has plenty of speed and agility.
“Sweeney is one of the quickest players on the field every day. Michael Davies, a young lad from England, he’s doing a great job on defence even though his position is forward, and Christian Sowe has tremendous footwork.”
Giving his team a chance to win the league title is a “fantastic” feeling, Sweeney said.
“We’ve got a good bunch of lads here, so it’s good to come out with a victory, especially against a team that’s as good as these guys (Canmore),” Sweeney said.
He said he was lucky to score two goals on the day, and credits Lombardi for keeping the team on track.
The Springs will have to defeat Canmore one more time this season in order to win the title.
“We’re going to keep our heads down, work hard and hopefully not fall into their trap,” Sweeney said.
Could this be the year the Springs finally win their first league title?
“Yes, we definitely can,” Sweeney said.
