Senior Boys Soccer
SB Soccer: First Game
In a “normal” season, the senior boys team would have already played a dozen games against league opposition by this point and be preparing to leave in a few days for our national CAIS soccer tournament in Hamilton, Ont. But this is not a “normal” season.
This is “coronavirus” season. Which means that EVERYTHING is different - lots of practices, no or very few games, no tournaments, and no league or playoff hardware to fight for. But after today’s first game, however, at least we can say that we have had a season! In tryouts, Doc and I decided to keep all 22 interested players rather than cut to a roster of 18. We figured that it would help the individuals stay with a program that hopefully they would be interested in this fall, and that we could have full-sized scrimmages in practice. We were also quite pleased regarding the general level of soccer skill, interest and ability of the group. And so, along with lots of social distancing, Covid questions and hand washing, we did an awful lot of practicing. practices?... ya, like Allen Iverson, I’m "talking about practices!!” Until today and the first game of our truncated season.
The goal of Monday's game was to have a competitive game with BCS, a team that we probably have competed against every year since the last worldwide pandemic in 1918 and beyond. They are our perennial rival. Last year they got the better of us, at least in terms of scores. They are also a school that has taken as many precautions as we have to ensure a “bubble” environment within both our schools, making an interscholastic athletic game as safe as possible. After washing hands, temperature checks and Covid questions, we departed Stanstead and did the same process upon arrival at BCS. Then, finally, onto the field.
It was a cool but sunny start to this Thanksgiving Monday. The starting 11 wearing our red team uniforms today included 8 skilled veterans of the senior boys team over the years (Ryan Young, Hadley Forbes, Jorge Correia, Jack Lippman, Hajime Saeki, Nicolas Pokora, Ho Lee and Justin Laforce) including a few soccer “lifers.” The three newer faces were Tristan Grandsire as wing, Eli Antoine on defence and Dominic Pokora, who got a surprising nod in nets when our starting keeper was medically unavailable. With the season plan for at least one game (and possibly two, if all factors continue to allow it), our idea was to make sure that all players would get to play during the game Monday.
The Spartan players pressed the Bears throughout the early part of the contest with numerous chances but no actual scoring. BCS was afforded a penalty kick, which Dominic made a great save on, only to see BCS take advantage of the napping red players, allowing BCS to score on the rebound to take the lead at 1-0.
Again, Stanstead peppered more chances at the Bears, hitting posts, missing open chances by a foot left and having at least two times when the ball was bouncing past the keeper only to be smothered on the goal line. Dominic continued to keep us in the game with a few timely saves. Tristan scored a great goal for us from the left side on a beautiful seeing-eye goal over and inside the right bar and post. The outstretched arms of the BCS keeper couldn't stop the ball. Tied 1-1.
Despite a definite advantage in terms of scoring chances, we could not buy a goal. So, whereas it probably should have been a 6-2 contest, that score of 1-1 was the final score of the game. Overall, we felt that we came up short, but we know that we can play well. This was echoed by coach Mr. Nadeau of BCS, who seemed pleased to steal a tie given the flow of the game. He also mentioned the skill level of some of our offensive weapons. We were happy to be able to get everyone in the game for good minutes. While past years have illustrated some defensive issues, we were very pleased with the defensive unit today. Players of the game were Ho and Dominic, but there were terrific contributions across the roster in every position. We have speed, grit, finesse and skill. As we mature as individuals and as a team, we could have some nice results.
Our next game is scheduled for Wednesday, October 21 when BCS will come to Stanstead for the return match. With the home confines and our fans there to support the boys, we look forward to a great performance and the opportunity to take the season series.
Thanks to Mr. Bray of BCS for welcoming us and acting as referee for the game. Special thanks to Mr. Spirk and Ms. Garrett for travelling to film the game and take pictures. As Doc and I do, I am sure that the boys appreciate your efforts on our behalf.
FINAL RESULT: TIE BCS 1 SC 1
- Coach Simard
Back
The goal of Monday's game was to have a competitive game with BCS, a team that we probably have competed against every year since the last worldwide pandemic in 1918 and beyond. They are our perennial rival. Last year they got the better of us, at least in terms of scores. They are also a school that has taken as many precautions as we have to ensure a “bubble” environment within both our schools, making an interscholastic athletic game as safe as possible. After washing hands, temperature checks and Covid questions, we departed Stanstead and did the same process upon arrival at BCS. Then, finally, onto the field.
It was a cool but sunny start to this Thanksgiving Monday. The starting 11 wearing our red team uniforms today included 8 skilled veterans of the senior boys team over the years (Ryan Young, Hadley Forbes, Jorge Correia, Jack Lippman, Hajime Saeki, Nicolas Pokora, Ho Lee and Justin Laforce) including a few soccer “lifers.” The three newer faces were Tristan Grandsire as wing, Eli Antoine on defence and Dominic Pokora, who got a surprising nod in nets when our starting keeper was medically unavailable. With the season plan for at least one game (and possibly two, if all factors continue to allow it), our idea was to make sure that all players would get to play during the game Monday.
The Spartan players pressed the Bears throughout the early part of the contest with numerous chances but no actual scoring. BCS was afforded a penalty kick, which Dominic made a great save on, only to see BCS take advantage of the napping red players, allowing BCS to score on the rebound to take the lead at 1-0.
Again, Stanstead peppered more chances at the Bears, hitting posts, missing open chances by a foot left and having at least two times when the ball was bouncing past the keeper only to be smothered on the goal line. Dominic continued to keep us in the game with a few timely saves. Tristan scored a great goal for us from the left side on a beautiful seeing-eye goal over and inside the right bar and post. The outstretched arms of the BCS keeper couldn't stop the ball. Tied 1-1.
Despite a definite advantage in terms of scoring chances, we could not buy a goal. So, whereas it probably should have been a 6-2 contest, that score of 1-1 was the final score of the game. Overall, we felt that we came up short, but we know that we can play well. This was echoed by coach Mr. Nadeau of BCS, who seemed pleased to steal a tie given the flow of the game. He also mentioned the skill level of some of our offensive weapons. We were happy to be able to get everyone in the game for good minutes. While past years have illustrated some defensive issues, we were very pleased with the defensive unit today. Players of the game were Ho and Dominic, but there were terrific contributions across the roster in every position. We have speed, grit, finesse and skill. As we mature as individuals and as a team, we could have some nice results.
Our next game is scheduled for Wednesday, October 21 when BCS will come to Stanstead for the return match. With the home confines and our fans there to support the boys, we look forward to a great performance and the opportunity to take the season series.
Thanks to Mr. Bray of BCS for welcoming us and acting as referee for the game. Special thanks to Mr. Spirk and Ms. Garrett for travelling to film the game and take pictures. As Doc and I do, I am sure that the boys appreciate your efforts on our behalf.
FINAL RESULT: TIE BCS 1 SC 1
- Coach Simard
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