The Dr. Charles Best Blue Devils were unable to repeat as B.C. AAA boys soccer champions and the Archbishop Carney Stars saw last year's silver turn to bronze at the AA boys championship.
The Blue Devils finished eighth overall, losing their final two games 3-2 to R.A. McMath and 3-1 to Tamanawis. Taylor Witala and Matthew Budai scored against McMath and Alykan Devsi got the lone marker against Tamanawis.
"It was a tough tournament as the boys knew their fate after their second game. They knew that Sutherland had automatically qualified for the semifinals by winning their first two matches," said Charles Best coach Dave Jones.
"Their primary goal was to repeat as provincial champions, however, winning a championship is always tougher the second year when teams know you're the defending provincial champion."
The Blue Devils were able to take some satisfaction away from the tournament, being the only team to defeat the eventual provincial champion Sutherland squad.
"We went up 1-0 on a goalmouth scramble that Graham Miller slotted home," said Jones. "Sutherland tied it up just before half time and then we scored with two minutes left in the game on a close range effort from Lucas Rojen to win 2-1."
The Blue Devils opened the tournament with a 1-1 tie against Eric Hamber and a scoreless draw against Elgin Park.
Old ghosts returned to haunt Archbishop Carney as the Stars fell to Okanagan Mission for the second straight year.
"To lose to the same team the same way two years straight is unreal," said Stars coach Mate Zvicer."What made it worse was the fact we were in control of that game and should have won."
Okanagan Mission needed a shootout to get past the Stars 7-6 in the semifinal.
"I felt we carried the play and had a big advantage in chances. It was one we should have had," said Zvicer.
The Stars used the same strategy the following day in the bronze-medal game, this time coming out on top 1-0 over Gulf Islands.
"We play a possession game no matter what," said Zvicer. "The only difference in the third place game was keeping the guys motivated to take home a medal after losing a game we had."
He said Mike North, Anthony Martin, Jeff Cadman and keeper Mike Lesiczka really set the tone for the final game.
The Stars opened the tournament with a 4-0 win over Lambrick Park, a 6-0 victory over Caledonia and a 2-1 decision against Sentinel.
Despite losing a number of senior players from last year's silver-medal squad, Zvicer said the Stars were able to exceed expectations by winning the B.C. Catholic tournament, coming second in the valleys and third at provincials.
"Despite the tough ending, I feel this team showed a lot of heart and determination to get through all the ups and downs over the entire season," said Zvicer. "I have never been so proud of a team. I just feel lucky to have had the chance to coach these guys.
St. Thomas Aquinas claimed the AA title with a 1-0 shootout win over Okanagan Mission.
