The Springbank Phoenix fell two goals short of a ‘three-peat’ in the Rocky View Sports Association’s (RVSA) high-school boys’ soccer league on June 9, falling 4-3 in the gold-medal match to the Bert Church Chargers.
The Phoenix, who won the RVSA banner in 2022 and 2019, lost in a gripping 4-3 battle for the gold at Monklands Park in Airdrie.
Despite the loss, the Phoenix put up a valiant fight, showcasing their resilience and determination on the field.
The match against the undefeated Chargers proved to be a thrilling spectacle, with both teams displaying their skills and unwavering spirit until the last minute of the game. The Phoenix refused to back down as the game entered its final few minutes, enthralling spectators with their never-say-die attitude and marking an impressive end to their high-school boys' soccer season.
After the final whistle, Phoenix co-coach Danielle Hughes praised her players' effort and commended their resilience – not just in the final, but throughout the entire 2023 season.
"We started the season slow and today’s game is proof that with hard work, you can all improve,” she said. “At one point we were ranked fifth and [today] they nearly forced the game to penalty kicks.
“That is something to be incredibly proud of and there’s no reason they should feel anything other than pride right now. It will be exciting to play [the Chargers] again next year.”
Reflecting on the challenges faced during the season, Hughes acknowledged the impact of adverse weather conditions that disrupted their training and match schedule.
“With the smoke and rain, we ended up not playing some games and losing practice time and there was no way to prevent that,” she said.
Despite the setbacks, Hughes remains optimistic about the future of the Phoenix boys' soccer team, emphasizing the growth and development witnessed in her players.
"I always encourage them to go from mad to motivated,” she said. “You can be mad that you’re losing, or you’ve made a mistake, but the best players know how to use that anger and turn it to motivation to improve and get better."
Although the loss stung, Hughes reminded her team of the achievements they had already secured, including back-to-back league titles in 2022 and 2019 (the season was called off in 2020 and 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic). She encouraged her players to recognize the progress they had made and to use this defeat as a stepping stone toward future success.
The defeat against the Chargers ignited a fire within them, fueling their determination to come back stronger and more prepared for the battles that awaits them in the following season.
“We did our very best and next year we will be better,” said Hughes.
As they departed the field, the Springbank Phoenix left with their heads held high, ready to regroup, train harder, and forge an even brighter future for their team. The defeat may have marked the end of their 2023 campaign, but it is just the beginning of their journey toward redemption in the coming seasons.
In a notable gesture, Charger's head coach, Sebastien Durand, recognized the importance of this year's banner for Bert Church. With gratitude, he commended the players for their exceptional contributions that led to the Chargers' triumph over the Springbank side that had pipped the Airdronians to the league title two seasons in a row.
"This victory feels absolutely fantastic, especially for the Grade 12s that are leaving," Durand said. "We've been talking about this all season, and I must say, we played exceptionally well."
