Brad McLeod
At 3:14pm on Wednesday afternoon, the final bell rang at Mount Baker Secondary signalling the end of the day. For the boys of the Wild soccer team however, they were just getting started.
Cranbrook’s Senior Boys high school soccer squad played two home games this week, both on September 28th, tying Nelson’s L V Rogers Secondary Bombers 0-0 and defeating Invermere’s David Thompson Secondary Lakers 2-1.
The action started shortly after 2:30pm with the Wild’s game against the Bombers. It was a tight match with very few clear cut opportunities and ended in a scoreless draw. Goalkeeper Jovan Klassen earned a clean sheet for his efforts in the Mount Baker net.
After being allowed a quick breather while the Bombers and Lakers did battle, the Mount Baker boys were back on the pitch just after 5:30pm to play a significantly less rested Lakers squad. Perhaps partially due to their opponent’s fatigue, the Wild dominated the first half and quickly got on the scoreboard.
Caleb Creber put in the first goal, gaining control of the ball just outside of the 18-yard box and making a spectacular run before sliding the ball under the keeper to pick the opposite bottom corner. Just minutes later, Dakota Rowan doubled the lead with a long shot that sailed into the same spot.
The Lakers wouldn’t go down easily though, and came back with a goal of their own before the first half was done. However, despite a few close calls for the Wild’s defence in the second frame, the 2-1 scoreline persisted to the final whistle.
“We looked good out there [but] we’re still working some things out,” said head coach Will Burgess after both games had ended. Although, as the only AAA representative in the area, Mount Baker receives automatic entry into the BC Provincial Championships, Burgess still says the team has a goal to be competitive once they get there at the end of November.
“Last year we were able to finish twelfth at provincials, so this year we’re hoping for a top 10 finish [this time].”
So far, the team has been sharp in regional play. In last week’s opening matches in Trail, BC the Wild beat the Bombers and the host J. Lloyd Crowe Secondary Hawks — each by a score of 3-0. The Wild’s regular season record now stands at 3-0-1.
The Wild hope to continue their undefeated streak into the weekend when they travel to Invermere to once again face off against the Lakers and the Golden Secondary Eagles on Friday September 30.