Yukon goalkeeper Tristan Martin has struck silver at the 2023 Alberta Soccer Provincial championships.

The Alberta champs took place Aug. 11-13 in the Edmonton area.

Martin’s team, the Edmonton Scottish United Soccer Club, fought valiantly but fell 2-1 in the final to the CalGlen WHU Cavalry.

“It’s too bad we didn’t win first but we played extremely well as a team,” recalled Martin. “We showed that we could play.”

Martin pointed out that they were a mostly U17 team playing up one level against U19 teams.

“The games, they went good. It was different for me because well, the weather was different. It was hotter compared to the Yukon. But we played really well as a team.”

Martin stopped a penalty kick in the semifinal against OUSC Anthem, a key to victory in a game that was 0-0 before the penalty kicks.

“It felt good. I heard the stands cheering and screaming. It was a really good feeling.”

After Martin made the save, his team scored one more goal to clinch the trip to the finals.

Of his overall play in the tourney, Martin said, “I think I did really well. All of my teammates came up to me and told me I did amazing and they were lucky to have me there, to be there for them.”

Martin has been playing soccer since he was five years old and has been a keeper since the age of 13. He competed in the 2020 Arctic Games and the 2022 Canada Summer Games in Niagara.

He has been playing with Scottish United SC for two seasons.

Martin said one of his key strengths as a keeper is his focus.

“I’m very good at focusing on what’s happening on the field.”

Catlike reflexes are another one of his strengths.

“That’s probably one of the main things that helps me. Cause I’m not the tallest.”

Martin is ‘only’ six feet tall.

“For a goalkeeper, it’s not short, but it’s not tall,” he explained. “But I get the job done.”

He said he is also good on set pieces like corner kicks.

Martin would like to continue to improve on his leadership from the keeper position, as far as guiding his team’s defence goes.

He explained why he decided to come back to Mercier.

“I didn’t find a place to stay in Edmonton because I was staying with a family and they couldn’t keep me for another year. So I had to come back.

“I’m going to continue playing here and keep on training hard.”

Martin will be playing with the Whitehorse Yukon Men’s Selects FC.

He’ll also be playing for the Selects in the upcoming exhibition games against the men’s Lethbridge Collegiate College (LCC) Kodiaks team Aug. 22 and 24 on the F.H. Collins turf field at 8 p.m.

“It’s gonna be fun,” he said.

As for how far he’d like to take his career, the goal is pretty clear.

“I would love to get a scholarship and see where it goes from there.”

Martin said Whitehorse soccer guru Jake Hanson told him that he gave one of the LCC coaches a heads-up to keep an eye on Martin.

According to Martin, Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) Thunder coach Thiago Silva was planning on scouting him at the Alberta championships as well.

“He was trying to get some time to come and see me play during during the tournament,” recalled Martin, who wasn’t sure if Silva had a chance to see him play.

The dream for Martin is, of course, to play pro.

“That would be such a dream to be at that level. It’s always been a dream to go into La Liga, in the Spanish league.”

Martin added, “I couldn’t have been here today without dedication and hard work and support from my parents and coaches.”

Those coaches include Sean Fleming, who was instrumental in Martin’s move to Edmonton, Jake Hanson, Ash Jordan and Scottish United SC coach Scylla Costa.

“They all believed in me. They showed me that I was capable of playing well.”