One cup leads to another.
The Burnaby Metro under-13 boys Selects certainly hope so, after securing the Coastal A Cup title last week with a 2-0 triumph over Vancouver.
Behind a well-rounded team performance, Burnaby matched a skilled opponent in every facet of the game. Burnaby coach Matt Manfredi said it was extremely tight and both squads were at the top of their game.
“It was pretty intense the whole time, and it could have gone either way,” said Manfredi. “They had won the league and beat us twice by one goal, so this felt very good.”
That piece of history was perfect fodder for motivation.
Joey Cannova cashed in the winning goal off a corner kick 15 minutes into the game, off an assist from Luke Aleong. The score endured despite multiple forays by Vancouver forwards, who were turned back by Harrissen Porth – who made a great tip save off a hard shot early in the second half – and a strong team defence.
Aleong notched the insurance marker with 10 minutes left in the contest, but Vancouver didn’t ease up.
“Our backline definitely held down the fort,” said the coach.
Anchoring the stellar back line play were Roan Diepold, Jacob Mastromanco, Loreto Siniscalchi, Sean Coventry and Tyler Gunasekera.
The win is a perfect place to reaffirm the team’s pursuit of a provincial cup, which goes in July. The silver lining heading into the Coastal final was that even a loss would serve as fodder for a strong provincial run. Manfredi didn’t see it that way.
“As far as confidence goes, winning this is better than (losing),” he noted. “I thought we would come into this game nervous, but the boys were very confident. They were smiling, joking around… It’s a great way to go into the (provincials).”
In other Coastal Cup action, the Burnaby Metro u15 boys edged past Vancouver Santos 2-1 to claim the A Cup title.
In u18 action, Burnaby Metro put up a valiant fight but were edged 1-0 by North Shore.
