Some may consider 13 an unlucky number but it hasn't cursed the baker's dozen that make up the Squamish United U17 soccer team. The local rep squad recently secured a spot in the provincials by beating out more than 12 teams, and beat out eight teams in the North Shore league to represent the area. And with every player on the team born in 1990 save one, they'll all move up together after this season to play in the U18 category. Manager Dick McQuaid said he's confident the boys have the ability they need to stay on top this season in the upcoming BC Soccer Association Championship.
"We represented the North Shore, which is Zone 4, and we played all the other zones from here to Langley and we did very well. We only lost one game, and it was in the last four minutes; the other team got lucky," said McQuaid with a laugh.
"This is the first team we know of that has ever made it this far in Squamish. They're not a big team, but they have a lot of ability."While McQuaid said there isn't one breakout star on the team, it is their ability to play as a unit that has seen them move quickly up the ranks.
"They're small, there are no really big guys and there are no stars, they work together as a team," he said. "They're all really good athletes; they are smart and fast and have a lot of game."
Under the careful instruction of coach Andy King, the team has blossomed as a whole.
Not only have they won the majority of their games, goalie Joe Pilnesick was recently voted the league's most valuable player.
McQuaid said his only concern about the BCSA Championships - to be held July 5 to 8 in the Comox Valley -is funding the trip.
It'll cost more than $5,000 to attend the event, said McQuaid, and so far, through the generosity of players' parents and grandparents, a small percentage of the funding is currently in place, but the team will need more. To support Squamish United's travel costs, call McQuaid at 604-815-0062.
