It all comes down to a single game for the Shuswap U18 Mavericks boys soccer team which is set to play Abbotsford in the provincial championships Sunday.
After the deciding game, the winning team will have the opportunity to continue on to the national championships in New Brunswick where they will represent B.C.
“It would mean everything,” says player Jon Purnell of the idea of making nationals. “It is really what we have been waiting for. It is our last year before we split up and so this is it. This is our last chance to win it all.”
This is the farewell season for the Interior district winners who have played together since the developmental stages and consider themselves a family.
“It has a lot to do with chemistry on the team. We have just built from being together so long. A lot of us are really good friends. We treat each other like brothers pretty much,” said Logan Abbott.
To these players it is precisely this closeness that has contributed to the team’s many successes over the years.
Last season the team won gold at the high school provincial championships and this year, moved from the ‘B’ division into the ‘A’ division without a problem.
“It gives an advantage on the field with communication because they have played so long together,” said coach Brad Ross, who has coached the team for four years. “They’re a pretty dedicated bunch of kids and they show a good amount of commitment. They love to play.”
Players are quick to credit Ross as he credits them, saying he has created a positive team atmosphere.
“I think that a big part of our development being so good is the coach. He really brought us together, and having him these years is different because a lot of teams have a different coach every year,” said Abbott.
Living in a small community helps, adds Evan Houle.
“You really get to know each other, how each other plays and you develop as a team,” he said, noting teams in larger cities rarely stay together as they have.
To prepare for Sunday’s game, the team has been practising three times a week. But in reality, the players say they’re on the field much more than that, playing soccer whenever they get the chance.
“I think we just love soccer so much that we want to play every day,” said Andrew Hauser who acknowledged the pre-game jitters. “It feels really good. I’m nervous because you want to succeed but you know whatever happens happens.”
Ross says that beyond practice, it is essential for the team to communicate how they are feeling. Everything else is simple really – nutrition and hydration.
Purnell put it this way.
“Everybody’s just got to be on the same page with their fitness and mentality of the game.”
Held in Richmond at Hugh Boyd stadium, the provincial championships take place Sunday at 11 a.m.
Making up the team are Logan Abbott, Nolan Wallace, Eric Gignac, Andrew Hauser, Evan Houle, Jonathon Purnell, Raymond Ross, Ben and Dan Schager, Colton Walker, Austin Schneebeli, Deni Salija, Sho Yamomoto, and Brendan Melin.
