Parker Ellis finally got the silverware he was after.
The talented EDC Burnaby striker scored the game-winning goal in overtime and was later named cup tournament MVP following the team’s 2-0 victory over Guildford FC in the Vancouver Metro Soccer League under-21 division cup final at Trillium Park last Saturday.
But it was hoisting the team trophy that meant the most to the 17-year-old Burnaby talent.
“It feels good to win the cup. It feels good to be recognized as well, but it felt really good to win,” said Ellis earlier this week.
Earlier this season, Ellis was a key component in Burnaby Central Secondary’s silver-medal run that disappointedly ended with a 2-1 overtime loss to Sutherland at the B.C. high school soccer championships, where the senior forward garnered both MVP and Golden Boot awards.
“They’re different,” Ellis said of the two championships. “I was a part of a team as opposed to being a leader of the high school team.”
Ellis joined the former Chilean club midway through the season following the end of High Performance League play with Mountain FC.
With a signed commitment to play at Simon Fraser University in September, Ellis made a seamless jump to the men’s division league under former youth coach John Penman.
“(Ellis) is always welcome on my team. He was a great addition and he’s a great finisher,” said Penman, the u-21 club head coach.
Ellis scored the eventual game-winner with six minutes remaining in the second OT period, collecting a clever chip over the Guildford back line from Suki Shergill and taking a touch before blasting the ball from the edge of the 18-yard box to the bottom corner of the goal.
Three minutes later, Kuroush Faritous sealed the win for EDC Burnaby off a series of rebounds coming off a counter attack.
With the win, EDC Burnaby will be seeded into the upcoming u-21 Provincial Cup against Gorge FC from the Vancouver Island league.
