The Lake City Falcons senior boys’ soccer team exceeded all outside expectations at the recent North Central Zone Championships in Quesnel, picking up a silver medal in its first year competing at the ‘AAA’ level.
“The kids played awesome,” said head coach Mike Brogan.
“We thought we’d do well, but I don’t think we were expected to do as well as we did. ”
The tournament began with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Quesnel’s Correlieu Clan. Justin Hansen scored the winning mark for the Falcons.
Next, Lake City contained South Peace, winning in a 3-0 shutout victory with Scott Cramer and Bobby Rankin, who notched two, scoring in the win.
Brogan said his club’s next match against Prince George secondary was the highlight of the tournament, as the Falcons recovered from an early 2-0 deficit to win, 3-2, and advance to the final. Hansen scored twice and Kostdia Stolbov added a lone goal in the semifinal victory.
“In the final we ended up playing PGSS again and this time the result was less favourable,” Brogan said.
The Falcons, early in the first half, had a goal by Bhavan Mann called back on an offside call, before giving up a goal just a short time later.
“We played a very hard-fought game and almost tied it up late in the game but conceded a late goal and were defeated 2-0 in a game that was closer than the score would indicate,” Brogan said.
“Throughout the tournament numerous players like team captain Jona Sommer, Kennedy Mack and, especially, Rankin, were stalwarts on defense. Those players made it very difficult fore the opposing forwards.”
He added midfielder Cramer, along with goalkeeper Trevor Woodward — who collected three shutouts in the tournament — and forward Hansen — who led the tournament in scoring with four goals and displayed strong leadership throughout — played exceptionally well for the Falcons.
“Overall the team had an excellent tournament,” he said. “Every player played their hearts out.”
