Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and in this case, hungrier.
The Burnaby North Vikings are contenders in this week’s B.C. High School AAA boys soccer championships, starting Thursday at Burnaby Lakes West fields.
North’s ascension into the 16-team tournament has been more than 10 years in the making, ending a long drought.
While they aren’t among the highly ranked – the Vikings qualified in a do-or-die 1-0 victory over Sentinel two weeks ago – Burnaby North is eager to make some waves in their run.
“We have not made it to the provincials in over a decade and are very excited to have made it,” said coach Deborah Peters. “Our goal is to finish in the top 12, but ideally we have (our) sights set on the top eight.”
Coming off a tough 4-1 loss to Argyle, the Vikings battled Sentinel right down to the wire, getting the game-winning goal with under 10 minutes left in regulation.
Mihai Hodut stripped the ball off a defender then crossed it to Grade 11 striker Alessio Bonaventura for the deciding tally.
Being underdogs won’t deter them from making the most of this opportunity, said Peters.
“Anything is possible and Burnaby Lake is kind of like our home field.”
Burnaby North’s run begins Thursday, with games against Killarney (9 a.m.) and Sullivan Heights (12:45 p.m.). They play No. 1-ranked Dr. Charles Best 11 a.m. on Friday.
The playoffs begin Friday afternoon, with the final 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.
