The Co-ed invitational soccer tournament was an unqualified success with over 80 players and seven teams participating for the title. The winning team was Desley McCleod’s Red team, who survived a scare in the semi finals as they were taken to penalties by Ciaran Connolly’s Purple team, before McCleod scored the winning penalty kick. In the final, they defeated Orange with Matthias Hartmann in prime form, as they won 4-0. Hartmann notched all four scores for the reds.

“Definitely a unique experience,” related Hartmann. “Couldn’t have done it without the team.

“I think we saved the energy on the second day just for the last game … found our rhythm again and came back strong as a team after the two defeats (Saturday morning).

“We had the three wins (Friday). Saturday morning was a little bit of a rough start … but we had lots of fun and gonna enjoy the night now.”

Orange’s route to the final was inspired by Logan Potter and the mighty Rob Florkiewicz but fell short in the final. But they had a successful tournament up until that point.

Alejandro Pulido led his Grey team well and were actually the team to beat after the round robin part of the tournament, but they were beaten on penalties by the Orange team in the semi final, although Linnea Roberts and Ella Lawrence were very good.

The Purple team overcame losing key player Rebecca Zalatan on Friday night, but had Michael Hamilton on their team to play a great tournament.

The other teams were made up of River Walton’s white team, for whom Lara Herry-Saint Onge was very impressive.

The F.H. Collins teacher’s team had Steph Main and Annie Worth holding the team together, and an Under 17 girls team were gaining experience in tournament soccer, with Teagan Ewing and Breanna Brown playing well. Mike Jones and Travis Banks coached and played with the girls.

“The girls did really well,” said Jones. “They kind of knocked it out of the park. They’re passing really well, they work together really well … I’d be watching this team, because they’re going to achieve some things.”

Banks added, “The girls, all around, really surprised some of these older fellas.”

Jones added, “We got a lot of great feedback from the community as well. A lot of people were saying they could see how the girls were developing. A lot of people were impressed … they operate as a team.”

There were many talking points during the tournament: Phil Jackson’s shot that rebounded back and knocked him off his feet, Travis Banks’ own goal and Sandy Gross’s inability to score after he told his team he would be MVP.

The awards ceremony saw the MVP awards go to Matthias Hartmann (men) and Jessica Williams (women). The Over 50’s player was Carlos Astorquiza. Sandy Gross made the Save of the Day, Hector Lang got the goal of the tournament and Matthias Hartmann went from hero to zero when he picked up the coveted Toilet Award for not being able to hit a penalty straight.

– Submitted by Andy Todd.