Cudworth goalie saves the last shot of the gold medal game in Lake Lenore during the 3A Boys' Provincial Championship. (Becky Zimmer/northeastnow Staff)

By Ben Tompkins

High School Sports

Three shootouts decide four games in boys soccer provincials

Nov 1, 2021 | 9:40 AM

Lake Lenore was the site of the Senior Boys’ 3A Soccer Provincials over the weekend, in which was only a four-team tournament.

(Becky Zimmer/northeastnow staff)

Cudworth/Middle Lake, Langham, Osler VCA and the host Lake Lenore/Muenster/Annaheim were the four teams fighting for provincial gold, in which all four games were decided by only a goal, three of which went to penalty kicks.

(Becky Zimmer/northeastnow staff)

Cudworth/Middle Lake went on to defeat Lake Lenore/Muenster/Annaheim, one to nothing in a shootout victory for the gold and Langham beat Osler VCA, two to one for the bronze.

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Curtis Strueby, event organizer and head coach of Lake Lenore told northeastNOW it was a great feeling, not only to host said event but to once again be back on the field, competing for a provincial championship.

“We always have good support and the boys like playing at home. It’s always nice to be in your hometown, on your home field. Everyone was just happy to be playing again and have a provincial championship. It’s always nice to have something like this to play for, it was just nice to have the kids back playing again.”

According to Strueby, these provincials were slightly different in more ways than one, both due to the fact that COVID-19 is still a factor, however, it necessarily didn’t turn out to be a bad thing.

“Numbers are down, sadly in every sport, so the SHSAA (Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association) went to a four-team provincial. Normally it’s eight, but because we had fewer teams this year, they reduced it to only four, a lot of teams had to co-op to form a team this year. When you’re in a four-team provincial, however, the calibre is really high, so you can not take any time off because every team is strong.”

“We normally have a really big opening ceremony, a big concession and access to the school, but we couldn’t do or have that this year because of COVID, just some things we used to take for granted. It wasn’t quite the event we were used to having, but the games really took over the spotlight and really, that’s the way it should be.”

And with having a gold medal game that had five communities very close in proximity to each other, Strueby said it made the experience that much better and really showcased the love and support that all these communities have.

“It was a great experience. There was a large crowd there. We had five very close communities represented in that final, which is great to see, the crowd was huge because of that. It was a healthy rivalry and I’m very proud of how all the boys from both teams played and demonstrated sportsmanship. I’m really proud to be part of this area.”

The Senior Girls’ 3A Soccer Provincials were also held this past weekend, Oct. 29 and 30, in which a team from Lake Lenore was also in. The four-team championships were held in Stobart (Duck Lake).

Osler VCA defeated Lake Lenore in the gold medal game, three to one and Waldheim defeated Stobart (Duck Lake) four to nothing to take home the bronze.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8