U12 soccer boys crowned Tier IV champs

Taber’s U12 boys soccer team reached the pinnacle of success earlier this month, securing gold at Tier IV provincials in Three Hills during the July 12-13 weekend.

The team played four games over the weekend to secure victory.

“It was set up 12 teams, four pools of three,” said assistant coach Coral James.

“We came out very strong out of our pool. We played two in our pool, and the next day we had our semi-final and final. All of the first place teams in each pool played off against each other, and then the two top teams played for gold.”

Tough competition was overcome in the semi-final and final games versus teams from Edson.

“We were really strong out of our pool, so we were kind of a force to be reckoned with, I would say,” said James. “The semi-final game was really close, 2-1, and then we came out in our final game and forced a bigger spread, 5-1.

“They played super strong. We had some scoring leaders in our tournament on the team.”

The provincial victory puts a cap on the season for Taber’s U12 team, which played with dedication and spirit throughout the year.

“We played with 13 boys, and whoever showed up to our try-outs got on the team,” said James. “We didn’t cut anybody, and we even picked up an underager, which I thought was pretty good for us to make it that far. It was a team effort.”

Three Hills proved an admirable host community, while the team was able to put together what had been learned during the season to secure victory.

“It was a great place to go, a good host community, too,” said James. “We had a strong team, and kids that really responded well to coaching.

“They did everything we asked them to do out there.

“We asked them to set on goal, and do that well, and give it 100 per cent, and they did that — that’s why we made to where we did.”