The Centennial Centaurs are motivated. The Blue Devils from Dr. Charles Best secondary school are confident. And the Riverside Rapids are excited.
Those are the moods of the three Fraser Valley North high school girls soccer teams as they embark on a whirlwind provincial championship tournament that begins Wednesday at the University of British Columbia.
Coming off a heart-stopping 3-2 victory in penalty kicks over South Delta in the Fraser Valley championship, Centaurs coach Larry Moro said his squad is “very motivated” to improve on the third place they earned at last year’s provincial finals.
“The girls know they have a special opportunity here,” he said. “Now we just have to deliver.”
Moro said the tough row his team had to hoe through the Fraser Valleys will serve them well at provincials, where teams play twice a day leading up to Friday’s finals.
“The girls realize they couldn’t coast at any time,” he said. “It was good to get to the needed level of intensity.”
But to achieve success on the pitch, they’ll also have mark up in the midfield to limit scoring opportunities on their own net while taking full advantage of their own chances to score, Moro said.
“We have jelled and become a cohesive unit,” he said. “We just need to make sure we bury out chances.”
Blue Devils’ coach Alfonso Napoletano said his team has also come together en route to a third place standing at Fraser Valleys.
“Our team has talent and depth in all positions,” he said. “If we have our ‘A’ game and stay healthy, we can compete with any team in the province.”
That depth will come into play as the Blue Devils open the tournament with matches against Fraser Valley rivals North Delta and Fleetwood Park before finishing pool play Thursday morning against Kitsilano.
“Having the depth helps us to rest and keep players fresh and ready for the next game,” Napoletano said.
Riverside may be the local wild card. After finishing the regular season atop the league standings, the Rapids squeaked into their first provincials as the Fraser Valley’s seventh qualifier when they defeated Enver Creek 2-0 in a decisive showdown for that opportunity.
Rapids’ coach Kenny Jamieson said the excitement amongst his players is palpable, but the key to his team having an impact at the tournament will be maintaining the same gritty, defensive intensity that got them there in the first place.
“We are at our best when we are closing down opponents quickly and minimizing their time on the ball,” Jamieson said.
That tough mindset may come from the lacrosse background of most of the Rapids’ backend.
“Our defensive line and goalkeeper take pride in their ability to shut down their opponents,” Jamieson said.
Although that resolve may be hobbled a bit by a lingering injury to defender Katelyn Walker who was hurt at Fraser Valleys and may not be ready for provincials. But Jamieson said there are many capable players ready to step in.
“We have a deep team,” he said.
