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Mariners are National Soccer Champs
By Ken Henry - KHenry@abbotsfordtimes.com
The under-18 Abbotsford Mariners will go down as the greatest team in the history of Canadian youth soccer.
The Mariners beat Ontario 2-1 in the National Cup Tournament that wrapped up on Monday, marking the second year in a row the Mariners have been national champs. It's the first time ever that has happened.
"Elated. Brilliant. Unbelievable," was all Barry Crocker, the club's technical director, could muster just minutes after the final whistle in Winnipeg. "We're putting Abbotsford on the map. Canadian soccer now knows about Abbotsford. Our program is being copied, being looked at by other people. We're becoming a club leader."
The Mariners opened the tournament with a 2-1 win over Manitoba and a 6-0 drubbing of Newfoundland. In the semifinal they beat Nova Scotia 5-2, setting up the final versus powerful Ontario. After falling behind 1-0 Chris Powell and captain Brad Peetoom scored to take the lead.
"It's awesome - two years in a row is just awesome," said Peetoom, as hollering and shouting in the background drowned out part of the interview. "You can tell we're happy," added Peetoom with a laugh.
Heading into the tournament the Mariners hadn't been together since May, when they qualified for nationals by winning the provincial title. Peetoom said gelling as a team wasn't a factor.
"We were a little shaky the first game [versus Manitoba] but we just got the ball rolling from there and it started to feel like old times," he said.
Peetoom - the captain of the team the last two years - and four other players are eligible to play in the U-18 league next year.
Crocker said a three-peat isn't out of the question.
"We have a realistic chance next year," he said. "For now we're going to savour this."
A GREAT FEAT BY AN EVEN GREATER TEAM
By Ken Henry - KHenry@abbotsfordtimes.com
The under-18 Abbotsford Mariners will go down as the greatest team in the history of Canadian youth soccer.
The Mariners beat Ontario 2-1 in the National Cup Tournament that wrapped up on Monday, marking the second year in a row the Mariners have been national champs. It's the first time ever that has happened.
"Elated. Brilliant. Unbelievable," was all Barry Crocker, the club's technical director, could muster just minutes after the final whistle in Winnipeg. "We're putting Abbotsford on the map. Canadian soccer now knows about Abbotsford. Our program is being copied, being looked at by other people. We're becoming a club leader."
The Mariners opened the tournament with a 2-1 win over Manitoba and a 6-0 drubbing of Newfoundland. In the semifinal they beat Nova Scotia 5-2, setting up the final versus powerful Ontario. After falling behind 1-0 Chris Powell and captain Brad Peetoom scored to take the lead.
"It's awesome - two years in a row is just awesome," said Peetoom, as hollering and shouting in the background drowned out part of the interview. "You can tell we're happy," added Peetoom with a laugh.
Heading into the tournament the Mariners hadn't been together since May, when they qualified for nationals by winning the provincial title. Peetoom said gelling as a team wasn't a factor.
"We were a little shaky the first game [versus Manitoba] but we just got the ball rolling from there and it started to feel like old times," he said.
Peetoom - the captain of the team the last two years - and four other players are eligible to play in the U-18 league next year.
Crocker said a three-peat isn't out of the question.
"We have a realistic chance next year," he said. "For now we're going to savour this."
A GREAT FEAT BY AN EVEN GREATER TEAM
