submitted photos
The SFC U11 White team, coached by Jeff Charron and Jamie Lopes, participated in the Middlesex United Invitational tournament this past weekend in Mount Brydges. The team went 3 – 1 – 1 and suffered their only loss of the tournament in the championship game.
The U11’s started the tournament with a 1 – 1 tie versus the Southwest Lightning. SFC dominated the first half but could not put the ball behind the Southwest goaltender. The second half saw both teams exchange goals. Striker Danny Gratton would get Sarnia on the board with a nice, individual effort, going one on one with a Southwest defender.
Game 2 pitted SFC against Byron FC. Once again, this tenacious, young team dominated most of the game and would have a 2 – 0 lead heading in to the second half. Midfielder, Hunter Seguin would get SFC first goal midway through the half while Blake Wallace would convert on a nice touch pass from Andrew Lemieux late in the first half. Byron FC would score one to cut the lead in half in the second half but the U11’s would hang on for a 2 – 1 win.
Sunday morning brought the quarter-finals where SFC White would face off versus Byron FC for the second time in the tournament. SFC would control the ball for most of the game and out shoot their opponents 9 – 0 but could not find the back of the net. The team found themselves tied 0 – 0 after regulation play. Penalty kicks would be needed to determine a winner. With the parents on the edge of their seats, Sarnia would outscore Byron 4 – 3 to take the win. The defensive corps of Ethan Charron, Adam Mino, Ivan Lang, Lucan Hazzard, Corbin Atkinson and Nathan Ingles were pillars of strength not giving Byron the opportunity to get any shots on goaltender Colton Williamson, who in turn recorded his 2nd shutout of the season.
In the semi-finals, Sarnia would once again play the Southwest Lightning in a rematch. SFC came out flying from the drop of the ball and the Lightning never stood a chance. Sarnia scored a convincing 3 – 0 win to solidify their spot in the finals! Scoring in the win were Hunter Seguin, with his second of the tournament, on a beautiful pass from defender Ethan Charron, Cole Houghton from Jimmy Simpson and Adam Mino would put the final nail in the coffin on a free kick late in the second half. Goaltender, Colton Williamson, was strong between the pipes earning his second consecutive shutout and 3rd of the year.
In the finals, Sarnia FC White faced the host team, the Middlesex United Rebels. SFC struggled to get their offence going. Playing their third game in less than 7 hours was catching up to this young team. Middlesex came out strong and scored their first of 3 goals just 3 minutes into the game. Jimmy Simpson would score late in the first half to tie the game up at 1 – 1 but the Rebels would go ahead for good 10 minutes into the second half and would end up winning the game 3 – 1.
The coaches and parents would like to congratulate the boys on a great showing at their first tournament of the year!
The SFC U11 White team returns to the pitch on Monday night when they host the Ilderton Ignite. The ball drop is set for 6:30 pm at the Dante Club.
