ROAD TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

IN CALGARY, YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHOOSE ANY CLUB YOU DESIRE. FOOTHILLS SOCCER HAS PROVEN TO BE THE BEST PROGRAM IN ALBERTA YEAR AFTER YEAR. WE BUILD CHAMPIONS!

Press Release - Monday, October 10th

Bronze Medal Game:

Foothills (AB) 0-2 Surrey United (BC)

Playing our final game in St John's NFLD, our girls started the game very slowly once again and like yesterday's semi final were punished for our errors. In the 15th minute we were down 1-0 following a poor clearance on the top of our box, which the BC striker dispatched into the top corner of our net. As coaches we were looking for a positive reaction, but got the opposite as we looked shell shocked and inevitability gifting BC a second goal, in the 25th minute to give the BC team a 2-0 lead.

1-0 was a hill to climb, but conceding a second gave us a mountain to climb. Credit to BC however, they showed the type of patient and composed possession play we aspire to play and were deserved leaders at the half.

Following some choice words at half to underline that level of performance was not acceptable, and the need to play more cultured and competitive soccer, along with some player changes was just the tonic we needed. We asked the girls to forget the scoreline and give us a positive performance to leave with, and that they did. We dominated the second half with some sharp passing and some good pressing play. We carved out some great chances and had it not been for 2-3 outstanding saves from the BC keeper, we'd have turned this game into a win.

On a positive note, the girls put in some good performances over the week and displayed great attitude and character throughout. They represented the club and our Province very well along with some great Coaching and leadership from Head Coach Youssef Tarraf and his Assistant Karl Oram. As Technical Director, I reminded the team to focus on the learning aspect of these experiences, we saw many plus points and also areas where we need to improve in order to get to the next level. The girls have achieved a great feat by getting to the final four of a National Championship, but we know that we could have finished even higher and will start our quest for the U16 Crown when we return.

Picture: both Alberta teams at the closing ceremony. The boys team Edmonton Inter lost 4-0 in the Final to Ontario.

Press Release - Sunday, October 9th

Foothills (AB) 0-3 North Missisauga Panthers (ONT)

 

Picture: Taylor Dangerfield latches onto a through ball.

Press Release - Saturday October 8th

Today's Quarter Final Score:

Foothills Gryphons (AB) 97's 2-1 Saskatchewan

We play Ontario tomorrow (Sun Oct 9th) @ 10am local time (630am Calgary time) in the Semi Finals.

 

Note: for immediate scores after the matches, please check the CSA website.

Quinn Hardstaff (#9) looks to play a ball inside to team mate Gaby Tarraf (Capt.) as Megan Oram (#8) looks on.

Press Release - Friday October 7th

Game #2: Foothills Gryphons 97's (AB) vs St John's (NFLD1)
1500hrs k.o local time.

Playing on a Canadian soccer landmark, King George V field (location where Canada sealed their 86' World Cup berth vs Honduras) with milder weather than yesterdays storm-like conditions, we began the game with a great sense of purpose.

The calmer weather allowed our girls to move the ball around, as we probed at the St John's backline. Our opponents were defending resolutely on their home turf, willed on by the local support made it tougher for us to break them down. Then in the 32nd minute, Quinn Hardstaff picked up a loose ball in the middle of the pitch, dropped her shoulder past one defender and fired a looping shot over the St John's helpless GK into the back of the net.

The scoreline remained 1-0 to Foothills as we entered halftime.

As we began the 2nd half, we were met by the same stubborn and physical St John's defense who were throwing their bodies at everything we threw at them. In the 53rd minute, the lively Georgia Bignold who had been a thorn in their side all afternoon, latched onto a nice through ball from Morgan Saunders into the opponents box and dinked a clever left foot finish past the on coming GK to make it 2-0.

The back four marshalled by the solid Hailey Wilson, kept things tight all game as we rounded out convincing winners 2-0 to proceed to tomorrow's quarter final round.

We meet Saskatchewan in the next round tomorrow @ 2pm local time.

Press Release - Thursday October 6th

@ 1600 hrs (local time) we kicked off our quest for the National crown versus NFLD2 and the tournament hosts Mount Pearl.

Beginning the game with a solid 4-4-2 line up, we couldn't have asked for a better start as our forward Georgia Bignold picked up a loose ball and rounded their GK within the 1st minute of kick off. We opted to go with the wind advantage from kick off, but in fairness it was that strong, 60km to be exact, that either end we chose was actually a disadvantage. Add to that the drizzly rain and it was very tough for our girls to get settled and knock the ball around, as the ball continued to run out of play of skip quickly off the wet turf surface.

After a scrappy 25 minutes, we began to find our stride and Quinn Hardstaff doubled the lead when she fired a fantastic free kick from the edge of the box into the top corner of their net. Quinn was in the thick of the action once again in the 35th minute as she was upended for a penalty. Megan Oram calmly stepped up and fired a confidently struck penalty down the middle to make it 3-0. However, the wind was that strong she had to place the ball 4 times on the spot before taking it!

Coach Youseff made some wholesale changes at half time, to rest some key players and get others some needed action early in the tournament. This is vital when we have to play 5 back to back games in 5 days en route to the final game. We began the 2nd half against the wind able to control more of the ball and began cycling the ball through the thirds as we probed for the 4th goal. In the 60th minute, the dangerous Megan Oram rounded their GK and slotted the ball goalwards, only for the wind to hold it up, allowing the NFLD defender to make a last ditch clearance off the line.

The lively Georgia Bignold was re-introduced to the game in the 65th minute and it proved to be a good substitution as she scored the 4th and final goal in the 75th minute.

Final Score: Foothills Gryphons (AB) 4-0 Mount Pearl (NFLD2).

We play vs NFLD1 Fri Oct 7th @ 1500hrs local time.

Press Release - Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Our Foothills 97' Gryphons girls continued their prep for the U14 Nationals in St John's, Newfoundland with a good training session today @ the full size indoor Techniplex Arena. It still ceases to amaze me that given the size, volume of soccer players and even the affluence of our City, yet we still don't have one of these great full size indoor facilities... Answers on a postcard please!

The girls play their 1st game tomorrow vs NFLD2 (Mount Pearl) @ 1600 hrs local time. The mood in the camp is very positive right now and the girls are eager to play. Myself and the coaches, Youseff and Karl, took the afternoon to go and scout our Group D opponents NFLD 1 (St John's) and NFLD 2 (Mount Pearl). On the basis of what we saw, only the wind & rainy elements should cause us problems. Therefore, we will approach both games with confidence of advancing into the quarter finals on Saturday.

Following the all NFLD affair, Mount Pearl (our hosts) put on the opening ceremonies complete with Provincial Flag bearing, National Anthems and Guest Speakers. The girls look smart in their club apparel as they represented our club and our Province of Alberta with pride. See the picture below of the girls @ the ceremony.

Tommy Wheeldon Jr
Technical Director

Press Release - Monday, October 11, 2010



The magical journey of the Foothills Crew drew to a close today with a silver lining.

Playing against a strong and fresh BC team, it was a very close 1st half in windy and rainy conditions that drew to a close @ 0-0 going into the break. Crew performed very well during the 1st 45 minutes and were looking dangerous going forward.

5 minutes into the second half, Foothills got caught with a sucker punch counter attack goal to make it 1-0 to BC. As Crew dusted themselves off and pressed for the equalizer, the ref made a controversial call to send young Iskander Van Doorne off for a strong challenge that was a yellow at worse. Battling a 1 nil deficit and with a man less, proved to be an uphill task and even more so when in the 65th minute BC scored their 2nd counter attack goal exploiting the gaps left by Crew in their quest for the equalizer.

Then the game turned silly, the referee gave Charlie Trafford his 2nd yellow of the game for no clear reason, emotions began running high and BC also saw one of their lads get a red. In credit to the Foothills boys, they never quit and still pressed for a goal to make the final 10 minutes interesting. Unfortunately as we pressed we took risks and gambled in order to break the resolute BC defence. As we surged in numbers for that goal, a mis played pass was intercepted and resulted in BC slotting home their third and final goal.

The 4th official indicated 7 minutes of injury time and the ref decided to play 2 minutes, adding insult to injury. Nonetheless the Crew boys took the defeat as a bitter end to an amazing youth journey. As the coaches picked the wounded soldiers off the ground, we reminded them that sport is a great teacher of life skills... Sometimes you get the breaks like we did last year, other times we don't... However in the words of Rudyard Kipling "if you can meet triumph and disaster and treat both impostors just the same... You'll be a man my son".

The Crew graduate from Foothills as fine young men, who have brought pride and honour to themselves, their families and their club.

We salute these boys for keeping true to our club Motto "a Tradition of EXCELLENCE".

Tommy Wheeldon Jr
Technical Director

Press Release - Sunday, October 10, 2010

In a fantastic semi final affair it took 120 minutes of hard fought action and a tense penalty shoot out to find the winner of this game. In open play Foothills Crew had the lion's share of the ball, whilst Ontario played a resolute back line and proved tough to break down. Defensively it took 3 outstanding saves from Foothills GK Tyler Boast to keep the scores level at zero.

As the rain started to poor and the minutes ticked away, it was obvious that both stubborn teams were not going to allow any goals against and it would therefore be a PK shootout to settle to game.

Brett Howard and Serge Dossou cooly converted our first two kicks, whilst Tyler Boast continued his heroics with a wonder save for their first PK. Charlie Trafford saw his PK saved, whilst Ontario scored their to turn the game all square @ 2-2. Andreas Algarin smashed home our third, as did Ontario theirs making it 3-3. As Ontario had the honours, their 5th shooter stepped up to hit his against the post leaving Brad Crewe with the task of sealing the win with a calmly struck pen sending the Crew players, bench and fans into an emotional celebration.

Man of the match: Tyler Boast

Press Release - Saturday, October 9, 2010

Our final group game served to be our toughest test of the Championship so far. In a very windy affair, against the host province on their home field made the game a lively occasion.

Crew took the lead in the 30th minute when Serge Dossou was brought down for a penalty, that in form Brett Howard stepped up to coolly convert. Then just before half time, Brett Howard produced a wonder goal following a great cross from Amr Virk, cushioning the ball and volleying it into the bottom right corner.

Playing into the wind second half, the Crew came out flying and should have been celebrating their third goal on more than one occasion, but failed to apply the finishing touch to their dominating possession. The failure to find their third goal, made the game a tighter affair than it needed to be. Add to that the home crowd advantage willing their boys on, helped spark NFLD to a consolation goal in the 80th minute. However the maturity and experience of the Foothills boys, closed up shop and ran the clock out to seal the win and ensure a semi final berth tomorrow.

Man of the Match: Brett Howard

Press Release - Friday, October 8, 2010; DAY 1

Just got the report back from Day 1 in Mt Pearl. Newfoundland.
The Foothills Crew took on the host team at 3:00pm local time. It was a character tester for the crew.
The crew were up 2-0 20mins into the match, when Tyrin Hutchins made an effort to take a scoring chance away
from the host squad, however, the referee showed the red card, and gave the PK. Newfoundland and Labrador team 2
converted and made the score 2-1, this putting the crew down to 10 men with 70 mins remaining. However, it was no test
for boys, and they went on to score 5 more times for a 7-1 victory in their opening match of the U18 Sony Cup.
Brett Howard scored 3, Charlie Trafford added 2, and Alex Vaughn and Bradley Crewe each added a single.
The crew will face Saskatchewan tomorrow at 4:00pm, which is 12:30pm Calgary time.
Tyrin will be missed tomorrow vs. Sask, but will the boys wil be anxious to have him back, hopefully for the third match, when they face Newfoundland Labrador Team 1.

Press Release - Sunday October 11th, 2009

Great news for Calgary Foothills today, as the u18 Foothills Crew boy's cemented the club's second finalist spot in tomorrow's National finals. The PEI boys lost to a spirited Newfoundland team 3-0.

Rally up the club support as the Foothills girls play their National final @ 10am against BC, with the boys playing Quebec (or Ontario) @ 1230pm.

Bring your green and white to Sherwood Park!!!

A very proud Technical Director..

Tommy Wheeldon Jr

Press Release - Saturday, October 10, 2009

On one of the warmest days of the week (-5)!! Both Foothills teams took to the field knowing that a win would see them qualify for the their respective U18 National final.

The U18 Foothills Athletics faced Manitoba in a battle for top spot in their group and stamped their mark on the game in the 20th minute through Chelsie Oddan following good build up play from Paige Doyle and Mel Sunada. The Athletics went further ahead through a Paige Doyle header from a corner, with tournament leading scorer Sara Paul (11 goals) hammering the nail in Manitoba's coffin by getting the third ensuring that for the second consecutive year, Foothills has a team in the U18 girls final.

The U18 Foothills Crew boys (3-0-0) had to overcome their group rivals PEI (2-0-0) in another battle for top spot in their group. After a good start, the Crew went ahead through Brett Howard scoring his 6th of the tournament so far. In the second half a very defensive PEI continued to pack their own half looking to catch Crew on the counter attack and did in the 68th minute, following poor officiating that deemed the ball had gone out of play awarding PEI a throw and possession of the ball. The Foothills boys continued to press as the PEI team continued to drop men behind the ball, then in the 87th minute Brett Howard found himself in the penalty box and smashed home his second of the game to put the Crew up 2-1. Unfortunately a series of poor decision making and not clearing the ball lead PEI gaining an equalizing goal in injury time.

Colin Mackay and the Foothills Athletics girls have a rest day tomorrow in the knowledge they will be suiting up for their well earned Gold Medal game on Monday, whilst the Foothills Crew boys have to sweat on the result on PEI v NFLD tomorrow @ 11am. PEI need to win by 6 goals to equal the Crew or 7 to beat them on goal differential.

Fingers crossed.

Press Release - Thursday October 8, 2009

All games were delayed today due to bad weather. The heavy snowfall created potential problems for both Foothills team today.

However the U18 Athletics girls put bad weather to one side and outclassed their New Brunswick counterparts 9-0, taking their goal haul to 21 goals in 2 games! Sarah Paul continued her fine form with another 5 goals, with Chelsie Oddan adding 2 more, Cassie Dennis and Alanna Nagy completing another rout.

After a 2 hour delay, the Crew team took the field against New Brunswick and mirrored their previous day's result by banging in another 5 goals. Brett Howard notched a hatrick (3), with Michael Cox and David White rounding out another professional and classy 5-0 win.

Both teams play their third group game tomorrow @ 11am.

Press Release - Wednesday October 7, 2009

On a cold windy day in Sherwood Park, Alberta both Calgary Foothills teams U18 teams got off to a great start.

Colin Mackay's Athletics impressively put 12 past Newfoundland. Goals from Sarah Paul (4), Paige Doyle (2), Cassie Dennis, Courtney Elliot, Lisa Hickey, Madison Pinder, Alanna Nagy completed the 12-0 rout.

On the boys side, Tommy Wheeldon Jr's Crew boys rubbed further salt into the wounds of the Newfoundland province as they beat their boys team 5-0, with goals from Michael Cox (2), John Troncoso (2) & Brett Howard.

Both teams face off against New Brunswick tomorrow (11am girls, 130pm boys) looking to complete another double victory against the same province.

Also Check out the snippet in the Calgary Hearld October 7th; View here

Foothills Colts - National Champions 2007 & 2008