Nelson Selects shoot way to gold medal at Sam Steele Days tourney
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Playing against older teams doesn’t seem to bother the Nelson Selects U15 Boy’s squad.
For the second time in as many weeks the Selects kept pace with the older players, winning gold at the Sam Steele Youth Soccer Tournament Sunday in Cranbrook.
Ironically, Nelson defeated Kootenay East U15’s 4-2 in shootout in the final of the U16 Division.
“It was a fantastic weekend,” said coach, Kerry Dyck.
“Two weeks ago I told the boys they should be so proud to win a silver medal in an older division, but they took it a step further and won the gold this time, playing up.”
Nelson finished second in Invermere, losing in shootout to capture the silver medal.
In Cranbrook, the Selects started with a 2-1 win over the Kootenay East U16 Boys, with both goals coming from Aidan Mushumanski on nearly identical plays, smashing excellent volleys on crosses from the right.
Nelson then dominate Creston U16 Boys, winning 5-0 in a game where the scored could have easily been double.
“We have a parent keep certain stats during our games, and we had 35 attempts on goal that game, to their 2 (both off target),” said assistant coach, Lyle Hill.
“Although the boys played great, our one concern was the lack of finishing, as we should have had more.”
Josh Yasek scored once while Milo Baranyai-Sheppard and Jaden Dyck each added a pair of markers for Nelson.
Those results vaulted Nelson into the first in their pool and a place in the semi-finals, where the games started to get harder, facing a team from Coaldale, Alberta.
The Nelson squad played excellent, though, winning comfortably, 2-0, in a game that was never in doubt.
The goal scorers for Nelson were Baranyai-Sheppard again and Blake Markin-Hellekson.
The result put Nelson in the final, ironically against the other U15 team in the division, the Kootenay East U15 Boys.
“They’re a very good team, whom we’ve had a great rivalry with for the past four or five years now,” Hill explained.
“Though we beat them convincingly, 3-0, the last time we faced them, we knew they’d give us a much stiffer test this time around.”
And that is exactly what happened, with both teams playing an excellent, tightly contested match.
Scoreless after regulation time meant that Nelson was headed to shootouts in the gold medal game for the second tournament in a row.
“I think the boys were really determined, after losing the shootout last time, and having to settle for silver,” said coach Verville.
Scoring in the shootout for Nelson were Jahmal Truth-Verville, Jaden Dyck, Grayson Hill and Ezra Foy.
And, most importantly, Nelson’s keeper, Bradey Sookero, made two spectacular saves on the four shots he faced in the shootout, to give Nelson the 4-2 victory and the gold medals.
“His performance was unbelievable,” said coach Hill.
“He was definitely our player of the game in the final for that effort!”
Adding to that comment, coach Dyck noted:
“In fact, the defensive effort from our entire team needs to be recognized,” he said.
“We only conceded one goal in four games, which was key to our success. Often, it is the goal scorers who get the glory, but I want to draw attention to the defensive play of our midfielders, Grayson Hill Jaden Dyck, Keanu Tromans, and particularly Ezra Foy, as our holder.”
Dyck said other notables included Liam Jones, Thomas Baxter, Jacob Erickson, Josh Schacher and Aidan Mushumanski.
However, special mention went to unsung heroes anchoring the defense at center back, Jesse Thurston and Jahmal Truth-Verville.
