With Fundy up 1-0, the host Yarmouth Clippers had the opportunity to tie the game with a penalty kick. But solid goaltending in the Fundy net by keeper Brennan VanVulpen blocked the shot from going in.
The crossbar and goal posts, coupled with the Fundy stealer goaltending, had gotten in the way of some other Clippers scoring chances as well.
And so it was the Fundy team, from the Amherst region, that captured the gold medal and Soccer Nova Scotia provincial banner to end of their season.
Still, a silver medal was also a good way to cap off a successful season for the U13 PetValu Yarmouth Clippers as well.
The provincial tournament was held Sept. 9-10 with seven of the top U13B teams travelling to Yarmouth from all parts of the province.
The Clippers finished first in their group to propel them to the final.
During the tournament the host Clippers defeated Kingston/Greenwood 5-0. Goal scorers were Ben LeBlanc (3), Ibaad Hemani and Benjamin Marais. The Clippers downed Dartmouth Storm 6-0. Scoring were Owen Fitzgerald, Dustin Lakusta, Ben LeBlanc, Cameron Brown, Jaleel Horton, and Riley Hubbard. Minding the net during the shutouts were keepers Seamus d’Entremont and Ben Marais. The team from Bedford was unable to attend provincials, thereby forfeiting that game to Yarmouth.
Fundy had a 3-0 record heading into the championship final. Prior to the championship game, Fundy had defeated Thunder 4-0. Goal scorers were Max Baker, Callum Chitty, Sam Harrison and Nolan Starratt. Fundy downed East Hants 3-1. Scoring were Callum Chitty, Sam Harrison and Conor Barrett. Fundy also downed Glace Bay 3-0. Scoring were Callum Chitty, Brody MacDonald and Nolan Starratt.
The gold medal between Fundy and Yarmouth was an exciting contest between the two teams, which was played at the Janet Smith Memorial Soccer Field.
Yarmouth keeper Seamus d’Entremont saved a penalty shot late in the first half, keeping it a scoreless game until Fundy player Nicholas Lawrence headed the ball into the Yarmouth net a short time later.
The host Clippers had numerous scoring opportunities in the second half, that when not thwarted by the crossbar or goal post came up short against the very-skilled Fundy net-minder. Despite their hard press in the game’s second half the Clippers were unable to even the score.
Meanwhile, East Hants won the bronze medal with a 5-3 win over Kingston/Greenwood in a game that went into overtime.
Another unique southwestern Nova Scotian aspect of the provincial tournament were the man of the match awards, which were sou’westers.
PROVINCIALS GAME RESULTS:
• Yarmouth 5 – Kingston/Greenwood 0
• Storm 0 – Bedford 0 (forfeit)
• Glace Bay 1 – East Hants 1
• Fundy 4 – Thunder 0
• Yarmouth 6 – Storm 0
• Fundy 3 – East Hants 1
• Yarmouth 0 – Bedford 0 (forfeit)
• Fundy 3 – Glace Bay 0
• Kingston/Greenwood 6 – Storm 2
• Bronze: East Hants 5 – Kingston/Greenwood 3 (in overtime)
• Gold: Fundy 1 – Yarmouth 0
