Rams on their way to joining Island’s soccer elite
The Mount Douglas Rams are more recognized for their North American football rather than the European brand, known as soccer in these parts. But coach Glenn Barker’s crew is attempting to change that.
The Rams got off to a flying start on Tuesday with a 6-0 victory over the St. Andrew’s Sabres at Tyndall Park in the Lower Island high school senior boy’s league opener, a dominating performance as Caden Brown led the way with a pair of second-half goals.
Stefan Klimach, Nischal Karki, Johnny Cole and Rees Goertzen also scored in the victory. Goertzen’s goal came just before the final whistle, which truly was justified as he dominated midfield play, making several strong runs and delivering the ball with aplomb.
Goertzen and Klimach are also members of the Vancouver Island Wave youth select team.
“We’re trying to change that. We have a good group of guys and we want to do some bigger things,” said Goertzen, a Grade 12 student who also plays volleyball, basketball and golf. “It was a good start today.
“I think if we can put in the time and commitment we can go as far as we want. We’ll have some tough challenges ahead of us [in Reynolds and Oak Bay], but we’re not going to back down.”
Mount Doug’s pace was spot-on Tuesday and an obvious team strength.
“It’s just their first game and we don’t usually play this formation. We’re doing something different than they usually do with their clubs,” said coach Barker. “They’re moaning about it, but they’re realizing that it’s working so they’re getting into it.”
They were into it in the opener, extending the 2-0 halftime advantage with two quick goals from Brown in the second half.
“Rees has a lot of pace and Abhi [Karki] has a lot of pace on the other side. Rees can pretty much play anywhere. There is a lot of depth to the squad, although we don’t have big numbers,” said Barker, who also coaches U-21 at Bays United and is attempting to strengthen the Rams’ soccer program.
“When we first got here [five years ago], it wasn’t so important to them but, as we’ve progressed, it’s been getting better and better every year, so now they’re more interested.
“We’ve been working our way up and school soccer is starting to become more important for everyone, like Oak Bay, Vic High and SMUS. Everyone is thinking it’s the big game in the world and everyone wants to play it, especially with all the international players now because they really bring passion to the game.”
Barker has four internationals on his team, but they will be challenged by the heavy-hitters like defending champion Reynolds.
“Oak Bay will be strong as well,” said Barker. “They usually are, but we’re starting to pull our weight now as well.”
The Reynolds Roadrunners have the advantage in that the soccer academy draws tremendous talent.
“I still think Reynolds will be the class of the league and I think we’ll be better than last year,” said Oak Bay Bays co-coach Richard Fast, who is also the commissioner for the league. Fast coaches along with Brent Garraway
“It’s difficult. Their academy kids can now play so it’s going to be a challenge. B.C. School Sports declared that academies are no longer considered elite. It’s going to be difficult to compete when they are able to play.
“They’re not allowed to play in league games, which is only a handful of games, but they can compete in the Islands and B.C.’s, so when they’re able to play … they are exceptional. We’ll do our best, but it’s going to be a challenge.”
The league’s Tier I teams include triple-A clubs Reynolds, Oak Bay, Mount Douglas and Claremont, along with double-A sides St. Michaels University School, Royal Bay and Lambrick Park. Single-A teams Glenlyon Norfolk School and St. Andrew’s round out the field.
In Tier II, it’s Reynolds and SMUS B teams, along with Stelly’s, Parkland, Spectrum, Esquimalt and Vic High.
Playoffs will commence Oct. 31 with Colonist Cup semifinals slated for Nov. 16 and the championship game on Nov. 28. The Colonist Shield (for Tier II) will be played Nov. 2.
The Island single-A championship is set for Oct. 18-19 at St. Andrew’s; double-A Nov. 8-9 at a South site yet to be determined; and triple-A Nov. 8-9 at Nanaimo’s Dover Bay.
CORNER KICKS: St. Andrew’s is playing host to the B.C. Catholic Schools tournament beginning today at Beckwith Park. Play commences at 1 p.m. today, noon on Thursday and 9 a.m. on Friday.