Statistics don’t always tell the whole story.
While the standings for the North Division of the Fraser Valley District Girls High School Soccer imply the Heritage Woods Kodiaks faced little adversity romping to a perfect 6-0 record and outscoring their opponents 23-4, nothing is further from the truth said George Reis, who co-coaches the team with Julie French.
In fact, the Kodiaks’ season could have gone off the rails very early when starting keeper Ellie Baker was sidelined by an Achilles injury she suffered playing club soccer and the team had no backup.
Instead centre back Charlotte Hall pulled on the big gloves and the team rallied around her “unorthodox” style, said Reis. “It really set the tone.”
Eager to exploit Hall’s experience in the field, Reis encouraged his players to send the ball back to her at every opportunity, so she could distribute it up field. Baker is expected to be back between the pipes when the Fraser Valleys begins next week.
Reis said the Kodiaks’ success this season has been a progression, as Grade 12 players like Kaitlyn Teves Reeves, Erica Reis and Sophia Jette have matured.
“They lead by example,” said Reis of his senior players who command the centre of the pitch. “They’re very vocal. It’s a really strong backbone.”
Familiarity helps as well. Reis, a volunteer coach in the Coquitlam Metro-Ford soccer program who’s been affiliated with the Kodiaks for four years, has coached many of the girls on the team since they were young players.
“We know how to get success,” said Reis of his charges.
He’s also coached many of the players at other schools in the district.
“I know the other teams, so we know what we’re up against,” said Reis.
But the Kodiaks won’t have that advantage at the Fraser Valleys, where the teams and players from other divisions are a bit more of an unknown quantity.
Reis said his side will stick with what they do know and has brought them success, a dynamic, aggressive style of soccer that keeps the ball in the opposition’s end.
“We try to play a lot of offence,” said Reis of his squad. “It’s about the physicality. They’ve finally come into their own. I knew this would be their year.”
And their eyes are firmly set on achieving success at the Provincials, said Reis. “Then it’s a whole different thing. Everybody takes it a lot more seriously.”
• The draw for the Fraser Valley tournament is being held Friday. As the North Division’s top seed, the Kodiaks will have the advantage of hosting games on their home pitch. Other teams representing the North include Terry Fox, Centennial and Charles Best. Seven teams wlll advance from the Fraser Valleys to play in the Provincials in Burnaby.
