Athabasca’s four U12 soccer teams are all off to strong — and in some cases, dominating — starts.
The Athabasca U12 Boys Lightning Bolts are among those dominating so far this season.
Winning six games and tying another one, they've yet to be beaten.
“I must say, I'm pretty impressed with them,” said coach Paul Deveau. “They play really well together as a team.”
They played a double-header on Saturday against Westlock, winning 1-0 and 3-1.
“They played really well,” Deveau said. “They worked together as a team. There was a couple of close calls, but they came out on top.”
If the team continues to play as well as they have been, they'll qualify for the Tri-County Cup.
“They way the team has been playing, they'll probably play in it,” Deveau said.
U12 Barcelona Juniors
The other U12 Boys entry for Athabasca, the Barcelona Juniors, have put up a very respectable start to their Tri-County season, sporting a 2-2-1 record.
“We’ve had very competitive matches against both our Athabasca counterparts and Westlock, but haven’t pulled out a ‘W’ yet,” coach Ross Hunter said.
The Barcelona Juniors played a tournament in Sherwood Park last weekend, recording a 2-2 record against some challenging opponents.
“The team played extremely well and we hope to carry that success forward into our comings league games and tournaments,” Hunter said.
The Fearless, one of Athabasca's U12 Girls soccer teams, is undefeated so far in the season.
Winning all six of their previous games, their latest victory was against Riviere Qui Barre on Sunday.
They scored a 2-1 win in the morning and, as the temperatures rose well above seasonal, they pulled out another victory of 3-0.
“All the games have been close,” said Mark Francis, the girls' coach. “There's been a lot of 1-1 games and we've managed to pull out a win.”
The girls have a short bench this year, meaning they have to rest while they're on the field.
“They just played excellent,” he said. “They play so in control, they pass the ball. They had it on their foot most of the game and scored when they needed to.”
Coach Penny Smith of the U12 Girls Black Widows said there’s been a marked improvement in their play recently.
“We’re doing good,” she said. “We’re coming along.”
The Black Widows got off to a slow start in Tri-County league play, but have since rebounded with two wins and a tie.
“We’re still catching up,” Smith said. “It’s just getting there, and teaching them to play a little bit more aggressive.”
The Black Widows competed in a Sherwood Park tournament over the weekend, losing three close games.
“But it was amazing soccer,” Smith said.
