Spurs share why they love the game

Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter

 

The U16 Spurs soccer season is coming to an end, with only two games left of the regular season. The goal at the beginning of the season was to aim to take part in the Intercities tournament held in Edmonton, which only the top eight teams can make it into, coach Ken Oliphant said they are on target for it.  

For the U16 girls, playing soccer is just as much about having fun as it is about winning the game. 

“The girls keep coming back year after year, so we’re doing something right and that’s the main thing,” said Oliphant.

Some of the team are new to soccer this year, some haven’t played since they were little, and others have kept up with the sport since they were young. 

Courtney-Ann Crawford has been playing soccer since she was two-years-old.

“It’s just something I’m really passionate about. I just love the sport, and I grew up with it,” said Crawford.

“We cheer on our whole team. If we lose we give three cheers to the other team and congratulate them and then we have one cheer for us.”

“It’s better than what I expected because everyone is so together on this,” said Kennedy Thomlinson, who is in her first season. 

She said you come across some teams who get upset when their teammates don’t pull off a play, but her team isn’t like that. Thomlinson said she feels she has a better understanding of the game after this past season than she had previously.  

“I love it, I love the girls on our team, they’re all very nice and they’re really good at soccer,” said Mariah Wilson. 

Wilson plays ringette in the winter and wanted to find a way to keep busy over the summer months. She plans to keep playing soccer and said if she doesn’t join Spurs she will join the Strathmore High School girls soccer team next year.

“I just like the sport itself. I’ve grown up with it,” said goalie Brenda Lazaro. 

Lazaro was supposed to play defense at the beginning of the season but was put in goal because of an injury. 

“I’ve kind of improved on being aware of the ball, and where it is all times and if it’s coming at me,” said Lazaro. 

Her goal is to continue with her soccer career as far as she can go; she would like to one day make a national team. 

“The team’s really fun. It’s not all about winning for our team, and everyone seems to be friends,” said Mairi Oliphant.

“The season is going well. We’re not winning all the games, but we are just as good as all the teams.”