12 Nation Soccer Season Comes to an End
Wednesday October 18, 2023 – A great season came to an end for the 12 Nations Soccer team last night as we were on the short side of a 2-0 score against the Fredericton Christian Academy (FCA). The superior skills of the 12 Nations team provided great entertainment for the fans throughout the game generating 14 shots against FCAs 5, but the ball couldn’t find the back of the net for the Eagles. Unfortunately, the best player for FCA was the goalkeeper who made some excellent saves when they needed them most. The size of the players was daunting for SMA and I am sure FCA were surprised with our speed and ability as shouts from the FCA bench of “get more physical” and “take him out” could be heard. This can happen when big guys are getting beat by faster, smaller, skilled players.
The team couldn’t overcome early goals at 3 minutes and 15 minutes in spite of playing more as a team in the second half. As usual, everybody played. It was a tough decision for the coach to limit the time for several players, as the team worked hard to try and notch a goal. Anyone watching could see Saint Mary’s Academy Eagle’s superior skills, but the team chemistry wasn’t working in the first half – the players recognized this themselves at half time.
The second half showed much improved teamwork. Passing the ball really does work! The Eagles had a goal called back. That was unfortunate: a goal that makes the score 2-1 is a huge momentum changer. The FCA team was getting concerned. You could hear the voices on the visitors’ bench get more desperate even with a 2-goal lead. There was a lot of physical battering after the play, far more than in any other game we have played this season. As a result, we experienced a lot of players down on the pitch and at the side while the game carried on. Always a challenge for one referee to monitor it all. It has to be said of all our players, they have heart. They BATTLED. They battled against players literally twice their size and never backed down. not once. Spectators were cringing throughout the second half as they watched our players play, with everything they had, against a physically aggressive opponent.
In the end, the team came up a bit short. In the post-game chat the coaches expressed how proud they were of the team and how privileged they were to coach them. Coach Kevin reminded players that this was only a game. Although to quote Bill Shankly “Football is not a matter of life or death…It is much, much more important than that”.
This was an entertaining season. You’ll notice we have no player names in this article, everyone contributed in their own way. From the on-field play to the disappointment of the loss, to the cheers and cookie trading. We hope everyone has expanded their friendships and you’ll recognize your teammates from all levels as you walk through the school. This community school family came together and made a 20-person, 12 Nation Team, comprised of 80% newcomers to Canada, 75% students in grade 10 and lower, 9 middle level students and 2 female players playing in a Senior Boys Varsity League who delivered soccer pride to Saint Mary’s Academy for the first time in 15 years. We cobbled together a team of mostly 14 and under players to play against Under 18 teams – and we competed. Can we do it again next year?
In the meantime-Futsal anyone?
Check out some pics and videos that give you a pretty good idea as to who controlled the game 🙂
