The difference between Tier I and Tier II was the reason Andy Johnston, the head coach of Lord Byngs senior boys soccer team, turned to one of his best players and thanked him.
The Grey Ghosts shut out Point Grey on Tuesday and qualified for the city championship, which they play Thursday against Kitsilano at Memorial South field. The game almost never happened.
So Johnston recently turned to Jake Wolfman, an anchor on Lord Byngs back line and said, Thanks for insisting we play up.
In 2009 and 2010, Lord Byng played in the lower Tier II division and Johnston said the results were nothing to brag about. Last year, they missed the entire fall season because Johnston had knee surgery and no replacement coach stepped into the position.
This year, the team debated staying at Tier II or challenging the more competitive Tier I teams. (Only Tier I teams can advance to regional and provincial tournaments to win a B.C. championship.)
Johnston doesnt turn away any players and, incredibly, keeps a roster of 28 although only 10 players and one goalie are on the field at any given time. Lord Byng is playfully dubbed Johnstons army.
I hate cutting kids, he said.
The players, particularly Wolfman, pushed to play in the higher division and the decision is working in their favour.
Were having a remarkable season, said the coach. Its quite funny were kind of a Cinderella team, we really are.
Geoff Legg and Wolfman are two anchors on the defensive line, and Josh Metcalfe-Hurst leads the team with six goals, including two in the playoffs.
Lord Byng on Tuesday shut out Point Grey 2-0 to advance to the city championships. Theyre guaranteed a spot at the regional AAA Lower Mainland tournament.
The first goal came from Tom Severson, the first on the season for the talented ball-handler, when he headed the ball into the Point Grey net off a corner kick.
Ben Houtman scored the second marker on a hectic play close to the goal line. Looked like the should have had a hand-ball, but the referee played the advantage, luckily, said Johnston.
Against league-leading Kitsilano, the Grey Ghosts can extend their Cinderella story but the coach is preparing for a close match.
Were in tough. Well go in hard and give it our best. Anything can happen in soccer.
Kitsilano head coach Randy Coutts said this seasons Blue Demons are one of the strongest in years.
Our team is very well balanced this season with a number of players able to play multiple positions on the field, said Coutts. The team is disciplined with good skill and the ability to control the ball. It is definitely one of our stronger squads that has played at Kitsilano.
The Blue Demons easily handled Churchill in Thursdays semi-final game and six players got on the board. Taylor Foote, Renato Curak, Aidan Camfield, Ian Komnenic, Noah Siegrist and James Soulsbury scored in the 6-0 victory.
Through the regular season, Kitsilano won six games, lost one and tied once, the draw coming against Lord Byng in a 1-1 meeting in early September.
Lord Byng will be a great opponent who also has some very skilled players, said Coutts, adding that the rivalry between the two neighbouring West Side schools is renewed now that the two play in the same soccer division.
The game will be fast-paced and should be a very good match. The game will be dictated by who scores first and the team that finishes their chances will come out on top.
Kick-off is at 3:30 p.m. at Memorial South Park, near East 41st Ave and Ross St.
Twitter: @MHStewart
