Jr. Gryphons representing Ontario at U15 ladies soccer nationals subsequent month after profitable second Ontario Cup in three years
Head coach Dan Di Maria is aware of there’s something particular with this crop of ladies soccer gamers.
The Guelph Jr. Gryphons under-15 ladies workforce is coming off its second Ontario Cup win within the final three years, and can characterize Ontario on the Nationwide Membership Championship subsequent month in Quinte West.
However the path to get there was somewhat completely different than in earlier years.
After two consecutive undefeated seasons within the Western Area Soccer League, the workforce opted out of the league and went in seek for the perfect tournaments doable to arrange the workforce for the Ontario Cup.
“The mentality of both the players and the parents, they kind of had to buy into this idea that we don’t have a true fixed schedule,” Di Maria stated. “We’re going to coach, prepare, prepare. However then we’re going to hit these tournaments which are actually good tournaments.
“That was one of our biggest goals here as a coaching staff and the managers, just trying to find that right competition that will prep us for this ultimate goal.”
After inserting second in a extremely aggressive indoor U16 league within the winter, the U15 Gryphons travelled throughout North America, inserting excessive in spring and summer season tournaments in Guelph, Woodbridge, New Jersey and Montreal, all earlier than heading to the provincial championship in Vaughan earlier this month.
Making provincials was one factor. Profitable it was a distinct story.
Guelph received the U13 title a pair years in the past, however fell somewhat brief final 12 months on the U14 degree.
The beneath 15 age group is the youngest bracket on the Toyota Nationwide Championships, being held Oct. 9 to 14.
Figuring out what was on the road at this age degree, Di Maria stated the workforce didn’t overlook that defeat final season.
“That kind of motivated the girls to say ‘okay, we know we can do it, let’s do it again at U15 when it really matters, be the first team out of Guelph to win another Ontario Cup and also go to a nationals to represent not only the province, but the City of Guelph at the national level,’” he stated.
The Gryphons had been full marks towards the Barrie Spirit.
With the sport tied at two, Guelph ended up profitable on penalty kicks to earn the precise to play for a nationwide title.
“I think it worked out well,” Di Maria stated. “I didn’t hear something damaging from the mother and father’ perspective.
“I think finding that competition is ultimately probably the hardest piece in the whole thing cause you’re not guaranteed that in a league. Any league you join, the way Ontario Soccer works is it’s very hard to actually pinpoint top competition in almost every match, and I think that’s what we were successful in doing, and that’s what prepped the girls for this Ontario Cup run.”
Di Maria stated he has been with this group since they had been eight years outdated, and even earlier than that as particular person gamers whereas serving to out his daughters workforce with Timbits soccer.
Twelve of the unique 17 are nonetheless on the roster, and there may be loads of pleasure on what’s to come back.
“I just hope (this experience is) something that the girls can carry with them for the rest of their lives, just something they really strive for and hopefully gets them to achieve other goals in their lives,” Di Maria stated.
“It won’t always be about soccer, but just something that they can strive for and push themselves towards in future endeavours, and whatever they have to look forward to in their lives.”
