The Strathmore High School boy’s soccer team exacted a measure of revenge on Canmore Collegiate High School, defeating the Crusaders 3-1 at Lion’s Park on Monday, (May 29) in the playoff semifinal.
Jiho Chun scored the lone goal for Canmore, which will look for redemption in the zone championships.
After Canmore trounced Strathmore 6-1 earlier in the season, the visiting team showed spectacular resilience against the Crusaders.
“They outbattled us and won all of the second balls,” said coach Gavin Peacock. “Even when we beat them, we could tell they were a good team. Strathmore fully deserved to win.”
A few defensive lapses led to all three Strathmore goals, as uncharacteristic defensive sloppiness led to several slip-ups.
“We were a little slack marking our players. All season, we’ve encouraged them to play with mental aggression. You have to earn the right to win,” Peacock said.
Down 1-0 in the first half, Chun’s goal was a result of a beautiful set-up from the midfield. The striker lobbed a shot over the head of the Strathmore goalie, bringing the Canmore squad to life.
Paolo de Soto had a glorious chance to score for Canmore when the ball ended up on his foot at the 10-yard line. But then a car alarm sounded a split second before he unleashed his shot. De Soto mistook the alarm for a whistle, stopped and Strathmore defenders cleared the ball.
The visitors were able to capitalize on their shots. In the opening minute of the second half, Strathmore cracked the defence and snuck a shot from the right side into the net.
Ten minutes later, Strathmore scored again off of a corner kick, again scoring on the right side of the goal.
Canmore pressed hard in the final 10 minutes, coming close on several occasions. Spencer Postman hit the post with a brilliant shot in the dying minutes, however the comeback was not to be.
Missing team captain Jake Peacock to a hamstring injury may have hurt the team, the coach said, however he gives full credit to Strathmore for battling hard. There is a chance the captain could return in time for zone play.
Peacock said this season has seen several players make huge strides in their progress, as the team has pulled together a brilliant season.
“We scored a record number of goals and defended well. The boys have done well each season and we hope to host the zones,” Peacock said.
At press time, details on the zone championships were not available.
