After claiming a Surrey city championship in late October, Earl Marriott Secondary’s junior boys soccer team was rewarded with a berth in the Fraser Valley tournament – and a game in some of the ugliest conditions they’re likely ever to face.
On Thursday afternoon at White Rock’s Centennial Park, EMS squared off against Port Coquitlam’s Archbishop Carney Secondary, battling though snow, sleet and sub-zero temperatures en route to a 6-1 victory.
The Mariners jumped out to an early multi-goal lead, lead 4-1 at halftime, then cruised to the win in the second half.
“We played well in those weather conditions… snow, rain, and the wind was blowing. We played a couple weeks ago against Lord Tweedsmuir, and won 4-1, and we joked before (Thursday’s game) that we had experience in these kind of conditions because against Tweedsmuir, the wind was blowing like 50 km/h and it was raining,” said EMS coach Chris Fraser.
Though the conditions were difficult, Fraser said he relied on his team’s depth in order to keep everybody as warm and dry as possible; the team’s sideline was near-empty for much of the game as the squad’s extra players kept dry in the nearby bathroom, and Fraser subbed players on and off the pitch.
“In my history of soccer, thats probably only the second game I’ve had to play in snow. That’s 20 years total, between playing and coaching,” he said. “It was nice to have the depth to be able to do that.”
Josh McAbney scored three goals for Marriott, while Ben Campbell, Simon Radcliffe and Alex Amos-Schappert each scored, as well. Pascal Fritzer and Patrick Hipsz split goalkeeping duties in the victory.
Fraser Valley championships continue throughout the week.