The weekend of August 9-11 was a thrilling showcase of determination, grit, and soccer prowess as Lakeland FC stormed into the Alberta Soccer Association Tier 3 Provincials in Camrose. Facing off against fierce competitors from Edmonton, Calgary, and the Foothills region, the Lakeland squads delivered a weekend of unforgettable action.
The U13 Girls kicked off their campaign with a bang, taking on CalGlen West Hills Galaxy in their opener. The Lakeland side dominated the pitch, securing a 3-1 victory that set the tone for the tournament. On Saturday, they continued their winning streak, overpowering Sting FC with another 3-1 win. The momentum didn’t stop there, as they edged past OUSC Anthem’s in a nail-biting 3-2 victory, showcasing their resilience and hunger for gold.
Come Sunday, the U13 Girls were ready to seal the deal. After sweeping through top teams from Calgary, the Foothills, and Edmonton, they faced Edmonton’s Viktoria Football Club in the championship match. It was a tight contest, but the Lakeland girls held their nerve and secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory, bringing home the coveted gold medal.
Lakeland FC was represented by a variety of players and coaches throughout the age groups including Steven Dykstra – Head coach of U13 boys, Gordon Barrett – assistant coach of U15 boys, and Paige Wasylishen – assistant coach of U17 girls.
“Sunday saw many of our city adversaries from Calgary and Edmonton respond to their rural counterparts with hard-fought victories,” said Gordon Barrett, President of the Vermilion Minor Soccer Association.
The U17 Boys also made their mark, battling their way to a bronze medal. They kicked off their tournament with a commanding 5-2 victory over Viktoria but stumbled in their Saturday matchup against the Foothills 2007 Sonics, losing 3-1. A tough 2-0 defeat to Edmonton’s Terwillegar Riverbend in their third game put them in the bronze medal match. Determined to end on a high note, the U17 Boys shut out the Foothills club 2-0, securing their place on the medal listings.
The tournament saw the Spruce Grove Saints claim the U17 Boys’ gold, besting Edmonton’s Terwillegar Riverbend in the final showdown.
Barrett highlighted the importance of the tournament for Lakeland FC, a district club made up of players from Vermilion, Vegreville, St. Paul, Bonnyville, Lac La Biche, and Cold Lake associations.
“Our associations compete at Tier 4 Rural level, which prioritizes inclusivity, fun, health, and character building. The Tier 3 Provincials provided a more competitive challenge for our players to test themselves against the best teams in the province,” said Barrett. “The tournament was a positive experience for all our district teams and the children can be proud of their results against the provincial T3 teams,” Barrett said. “Special thanks go to Lakeland District President Josh & Laura Phillips from Bonnyville, and Executive Director Melissa Foglietta, for their unwavering support and dedication to our youth.”
Barrett also noted Vermilion Soccer Association’s continued commitment to soccer development, with its continued push for extended summer play and winter indoor training to prepare their players for Tier 3 competition.
For Lakeland FC, this weekend was about more than just medals—it was about heart, teamwork, and the thrill of the game. It is also important to note that U13 boys came in 4th, U15 boys also came in 4th, with the U17 girls being 5th, and Fair Play awards went to U17 boys and U17 girls.
Comentarios