The surprise team in Senior boys soccer made the Foothills Falcons its latest victim.
The upstart Notre Dame Collegiate Timberwolves edged the Falcons 4-3, May 15 at Kinsmen field, in a Foothills Athletic Council (FAC) tilt that could have major ramifications on top-three placement in the league.
“We had a couple lapses on our part, a couple of defensive and goalkeeping errors and some calls that didn’t really go our way at the end,” said Falcons striker Jared Nudd. “We were kind of fired up about that one.”
With the come-from-behind victory, Notre Dame (2-2-1) leapfrogged Foothills (2-3-0) for third place in the FAC. Due to a format change there will be no playoffs in the circuit, instead the placement will be determined purely on the regular season record.
The first-half saw Foothills control most of the possession and create the majority of chances with the Timberwolves looking dangerous on the wings and in central midfield with the ball. Strikes from Nudd and James Thomas were answered by two markers from the Timberwolves, making it a 2-2 game at half.
Foothills striker Garrett Young gave Foothills the 3-2 lead early in the second half before Notre Dame stormed back to tie and win the game with a long distance strike from midfield with just 10 minutes remaining.
“The boys played well. It just didn’t go in our favour,” said Falcons coach Manoel Pequeno. “They had some good players as well, played well as a team.”
Nudd, a Grade 12 student, said the Timberwolves are a much more organized squad than in year’s past and have added competitive balance to the FAC.
“They’re more connected as a team, they know how to play off of each other,” he said. “They’ve improved so much compared to previous years which is actually good for them.”
With an eye on a top-four finish, the schedule makers didn’t do Foothills any favours.
The Falcons are in tough in their final two contests with dates versus the undefeated Canmore Crusaders today, May 22, followed by the Okotoks derby versus the Holy Trinity Academy Knights on May 25. Both games are 4:30 p.m. starts at Kinsmen field.
The Knights took the first meeting 6-1, but the Falcons could be excused for not being at full strength for the contest.
“We had three or four injuries when we played HTA, including me and James, so we really struggled for scoring goals against them,” Nudd said. “We’re both healthy now so our attacking will definitely be more powerful in the next game against HTA.”
Foothills opened the season versus the Crusaders and Knights and have been preparing for a better showing in the second go at the top dogs in the FAC.
Regardless of how they finish in the league, Foothills has already earned an invite to the South Central Zones in Canmore on June 3.
“It’s something to work for, something to strive for,” Pequeno said. “And it’s something that we have to prepare for as well throughout the season.”
For more information go to foothillsathletics.ca
