A step into the future. Okotoks United finished sixth when it hosted the U15 Tier II boys soccer provincials Aug. 10-12, in what was a major stepping-stone towards 2019. “We are playing U15, but most of our players are 14 years old and we had some players who are actually younger,” said United assistant coach Dave Bown, after its 7-1 loss to Chinook in the 5/6-place game Sunday at Riverside Park. “A lot of the teams we are playing against are a year older and because Okotoks is small, we have a lot of kids who are even younger — who are two years younger. “Next year, we will be playing in U15 again, but we will be one of the older teams.” The youngsters held their own in their hometown. Okotoks opened the tournament with a 3-1 victory over Airdrie on Friday night at Riverside Park. United then tied Medicine Hat 1-1 to round out the qualifying portion of the tournament. United’s 1-0-1 record pitted them in the 5/6 place game against Chinook FC Barca from Calgary on Sunday morning. “Chinook is one of the older teams and have bigger boys, it’s tough for our smaller kids to keep up with them,” Bown said. United centre-back Logan Piccott, said the provincial experience will help him next year when he returns to U15. “We learned we have to be aggressive against the bigger boys,” he said. “Hopefully we will come back bigger and stronger for next year… Chinook had some good, big players and we had to stop them before they could get going and get a shot off. “It helps us and me especially — I have to learn how to stop the bigger kids getting through. “We can all take something away from this.” Striker Eric Tudur aged out after the provincial tournament. “I thought we played alright the first couple of games, but earlier in the season we drew against this team [Chinook] so it was disappointing to lose,” said Tudur, who scored the lone goal in the loss to the Calgary-based squad. He said he will learn from the physicality as he moves up in the ranks. As one of the older players and the high-octane scorer, he did see some physical play this season. “I was the most physical and I was the one who got man-marked all the time,” Tudur said. “They (the opposition) were teaming up on me basically.” Thirteen-year-old Luke Wiggins has played with the squad all year despite being eligible for a younger age division. He is part of the U15 future. “I think this team could be good next year,” Wiggins said. “I am optimistic, this team can get better and do better next year.” Okotoks started the tournament by downing Airdrie 3-1 on Friday, with Tudur, Kurt Hymanyk and Amman Letta slipping the ball past the Airdrie goalkeeper. Liam Eppleston had the lone marker in the 1-1 tie to Medicine Hat on Saturday. United found themselves down 4-0 early in the opening half in their 7-1 loss to Chinook. Despite the outcome, goalkeeper Colton Burkard made some outstanding save, particularly in the second half when he stopped two point-blank shots by tipping the ball over the vast net. One of the saves was a diving stop to his right. The championship was won by the Edmonton Strikers who downed Chinook Borussia 5-4 in the final Sunday at Riverside. For further information go to albertasoccer.com
