Boys Soccer — School Sport Victoria: Sunraysia Division Year 9/10 Competition

Our boys soccer team represented the school with genuine pride at the School Sport Victoria Sunrise Division tournament last week.

As a small school, we fielded a squad of five Year 7s, three Year 8s, three Year 9s, and one Year 10 — competing against schools with significantly larger cohorts of year 9/10 students.

Game 1 vs Irymple: Lost 2–0

Our opening match came against a strong, well-resourced Irymple side. The boys knew they'd be defending for large periods and they did it with tremendous discipline. We held them out until a goal right on the stroke of halftime — a real gut-punch after so much hard work — but the boys regrouped and kept competing in the second half, creating a half chance to equalise before a second Irymple goal late sealed it 2–0.

Game 2 vs Trinity: Lost 1–0

This one stings, because we were capable of winning this match. A tactical switch — moving David forward to add pace and energy in attack — immediately opened the game up and we created chance after chance. Trinity's only real opportunity of the second half resulted in the only goal, on the back of a counter-attack we couldn't quite clear. Chances fell to multiple players but we were unable to convert them. Because Trinity lost to Irymple by more than we did (3-0), A draw would have seen us through to the semis. It wasn't to be.

Game 3 vs Merbein (5th/6th play-off): Lost 2–1

The consolation match was a much more open and free flowing contest. We elected to kick into the wind in the first half and made it hard for ourselves by gifting Merbein two successive goals from failed clearances. The second half, with the wind at our backs, was a completely different story. Merbein couldn't deal with Aisea's free kicks and after several chances, Nelson got on the scoresheet, and there were multiple moments — Clark firing over, Mason's ball across the box that the keeper barely reached, David working hard in the area — where we really could have levelled. We outplayed them in the second half but fell short 2–1.

The Bigger Picture

While it was disappointing to return with three losses, those three one- or two-goal margins against bigger schools represent significant discipline and effort from our young squad. Eleven of the Twelve players will still be available next year, so we're looking forward to trying again!

Contributors throughout the day included Mason and Micah, dominant in central defence; Aisea and David, dependable at fullback; Neil and Clark, who worked tirelessly in midfield all day; River, who did an excellent job in the defensive midfield role; Noah, Lamar and Declan, who rotated well and added width; Nelson who chipped in with a goal and goalkeeper Rhett, who stepped into the role for the first time and pulled off several saves.

A huge thank you to the many families who came along to support — the encouragement made a real difference.

Thanks also to Mr Faoa for driving and to Mr Stewart for attending on the day.

School Calendar

Tuesday, May 12

Thursday, May 14

Friday, May 15

Thursday, May 28

Monday, June 8

Monday, June 15

Thursday, June 25