The Dr. Charles Best Blue Devils picked the worst time to lose their first game of the BC Secondary Schools Soccer Commission season. Or did they?
The Blue Devils fell to Panorama Ridge 2-0 in Thursday’s Fraser Valley final at Coquitlam’s Town Centre park.
But Best coach Dave Jones said the result may serve as motivation for his experienced squad heading into the provincial championship, which begin Nov. 23 in Burnaby.
“They were really disappointed they didn’t get this win today,” said Jones of his charges. “Adversity is always good and to experience at this stage of the game is going to give them some motivation going forward.”
It may also be prophetic that last year the Blue Devils won the Fraser Valley’s but stumbled to fifth place at the provincials.
Jones said the sting of that is still being felt by the eight veterans of that team that form the core of this year’s squad that romped through league play, outscoring their opponents 36-6 in seven games.
“They’re really focused on provincials,” Jones said. “Getting there was the first hurdle.”
The Blue Devils dominated much of Thursday’s regional final, but a couple of breakdowns in communication in the defensive zone cost them.
Jones chalked up those breakdowns to some inexperienced players who found themselves pressed into unfamiliar roles because of a slew of niggling injuries to starters. But the experience should serve them well in the long run.
“Depth-wise… I think we’re looking pretty good,” Jones said.
And with almost two full weeks until their next game, the injuries players have plenty of time to mend and get into game form.
Jones said he’s not about to hit any panic buttons over one untimely loss.
“We have to keep doing what we’re doing,” he said. “We carried a lot of the play. I was really happy the boys kept generating opportunities.”
