Howe Sound Secondary's soccer team received a makeover this year with a brand new coach and a slew of young new players. And even though coach Andy King used this first season to observe the boys, the team's innate talent and tenacity brought them inches away from the Provincials.
The Sounders had an exciting last week of regular season play with a 2-0 win against Sentinel and a crucial 3-2 win against second place team, Sutherland. But a 3-1 loss against Windsor sealed their fate - barely.
Windsor and Howe Sound finished the season in a tie for third place, but in an acknowledgment of Windsor's win over the Sounders, the playoff spot went to Windsor.
"It's disappointing that we won't be going to the provincials," said player Sam Dunkley. "But we still had a good year."
Many of last year's players were grade 12 students, so King faced a young team of 10th and 11th graders this year, and only three grade 12 players. But the potential is there, said King, adding that he intends to capitalize on the advantages of youth.
"With one or two practice games, they destroyed some of the teams," said King. "It's good to have a young squad. It makes them step up."
High school soccer is over for three grade 12 players, but the team spirit remains.
"I really wanted to get to the provincials," said Dave Metzler. "But it's good to know they'll be good next year."
King said it's precisely this team spirit that has most impressed him this season. Already pegged as a "good talker" by the young players, King creates an atmosphere for team bonding.
"Soccer is in my blood," said King. "You've got to be passionate and believe in the young men."
And now the players will have more time to bond. King's new pre-season training schedule will begin in early July instead of just four days before the first game, as occurred this year.
"By the time September comes," said King, "that ball will be rolling."[email protected]
