In a summer filled with World Cup excitement, Jasper Minor Sports kept the soccer season going a little longer—and came home with provincial hardware to show for it.

After winning their respective league championships, Jasper’s U13 Girls and U15 Boys teams travelled to St. Paul for the Rural Provincial Soccer Championships over the July 4–5 weekend. By the end of the tournament, the U13 Girls had captured provincial gold, while the U15 Boys earned silver after an unfortunate weather-shortened championship match.

The two championship teams also shared a coach: Paco Artiaga, whose energetic, supportive coaching style has helped both squads thrive. Coach Tyler Riopel was also instrumental in helping getting the girls into championship form.

U15 Boys battle to silver

Heavy June rains left the St. Paul pitches soaked as tournament play began Friday.

The U15 Boys cruised through the round robin, highlighted by a hat trick from midfielder Ash Habib, determined defending from Kai Duguay and Elliot Vassallo, energetic play from Randell Gabriel de Vera and dangerous set pieces delivered by Arlo Kennedy.

Without their regular goalkeeper, Jasper picked up Whitecourt netminder Hunter Shields, who stepped in admirably to help the team reach Sunday’s provincial final.

Facing the Morinville Titans, Jasper found scoring chances difficult to come by on the smaller pitch. Just before halftime, Morinville broke through when a looping shot slipped just under the crossbar to give the Titans a 1–0 lead.

Jasper pushed for an equalizer in the second half, with winger Will Lescard nearly tying the game with a diving header that brought the crowd to its feet.

Then the weather arrived.

As thunderstorms moved into the area, Alberta Soccer officials suspended play and players and spectators took shelter as lightning struck nearby. After a brief delay, tournament officials called the match and awarded the championship to Morinville.

The decision was disappointing for Jasper, as the match had not reached the 70 percent completion threshold normally required for a championship game to be declared official because of weather. Instead of a chance to complete the comeback, Jasper settled for the provincial silver medal.

The U-15 Boys team included: Arlo Kennedy, Ash Habib, Ben Derksen, Cohen Fitzgerald, Davian Mangal, Elliot Vassallo, Hunter Shields, Jack Currie, Jesse Groth, Kai Duguay, Kalahari Harvey, Kean Maniquis, Kenny Olson, Matteo Artiaga, Randell Gabriel De Vera, Sam Walsh, Sullivan Ruddy, Will Lescard and Zoti Korogonas.

U-13 Girls shine

The U13 Girls arrived Saturday sporting blue hair gems to match their jerseys and eye black for a little extra intimidation.

Fresh off a dramatic league championship won in Whitecourt after a penalty shootout, the girls carried that momentum into provincials.

Goalkeeper Mayah Stonehouse posted back-to-back clean sheets in the round robin, backed by a disciplined defensive effort from Abby-Lucia Campbell, Sloan Wilson, Leah Gifford, Alexis Krupski, Zephy Korogonas and Belinda Derksen.

Sunday began unusually early after two teams finished tied atop the standings, forcing a 7:45 a.m. penalty shootout to determine semifinal seeding. Although Jasper didn’t win the shootout, the result had little impact as the team advanced to face the hometown St. Paul Boom Boom Berries.

The hosts proved to be Jasper’s toughest test to that point, but two goals from striker Sofia Artiaga secured a 2–0 victory and a berth in the provincial final.

Provincial champions

Waiting in the final was Red Deer.

After a scoreless first half, Jasper finally found its breakthrough when a handball in the penalty area resulted in a penalty kick. Artiaga calmly converted from the spot to give Jasper the lead.

With the pressure lifted, the girls settled into their game. Juniper Habib doubled the advantage with a shot that glanced in off the goalkeeper’s glove before Red Deer responded late to make it 2–1.

Jasper held firm through the closing minutes to secure the provincial championship.

Strong showing across the program

The weekend also featured success for two Jasper players competing with Whitecourt’s U17 Boys team. Max Lescard and Jaifred Mota were invited to join the provincial tournament roster, where Lescard contributed offensively while Mota anchored the defence as Whitecourt claimed the U17 provincial title.

With one provincial championship, one silver medal and another pair of provincial champions competing in the U17 division, it was a memorable finish to the season for Jasper Minor Sports.

Lucas Habib // info@thejasperlocal.com