The Agassiz Elementary Secondary School (AESS) senior boys seemed to have the game in the bag early into their home-opening soccer match last Thursday… but they couldn’t hold it shut.
What started off lopsided became a very entertaining game, with neither the Chieftains nor the visiting Dasmesh Falcons giving up until the final whistle.
Agassiz’ Anton Stoeckly got the first goal, only three minutes into the game, followed by Ethan Elliot on a well-timed volley. Soon after, talented midfielder, Rusty McInroy fed Tomas Walton, who sprinted in and buried his shot. McInroy later lobbed a cross into the box for another goal by Walton.
The visitors from Abbotsford were sputtering and had only countered with one goal of their own. Down 4-1, they collected themselves and worked on their possession and passing.
Soon, McInroy had extra pressure and had to work hard to get free of double-teaming defenders.
At 4-2, the Falcons earned a penalty kick. Rookie Chieftain goalie, Marshall Bowles guessed correctly, diving to his right — but could only get his fingertips on the hard shot from Jovan Gill.
Shortly after, the visitors took advantage of a Chieftains defensive breakdown, tying it up. Three minutes before half time, the Falcons capitalized on a cross to Jovin Dhaliwal for the go-ahead goal.
While they could have come unraveled from giving up four straight goals, the Chieftains rallied in the second half. Sixteen minutes in, Connor James dangled into the Falcons’ penalty area and dished the ball over to Trevor Carscadden, who beat the keeper to tie it at 5.
The game looked destined to end in a draw, until the Falcons made a high crossing shot at the net. Bowles got his hands in the path of the ball but he couldn’t quite tip it over the bar. As in the first half, the Falcons secured a lead with only three minutes remaining.
The Chieftains showed grit, taking the ball down to the Falcons’ goal several times — but the 6-5 decision survived through stoppage time.
Coach Kyle Dickey said Friday, “This year we have a young team with only two Grade 12s and a few players trying the sport for the first time.
“The season is also very short, which makes it difficult to get all players on the same page,” he added. “We rely heavily on players who play soccer all year round, like Rusty McInroy and Trevor Carscadden. The goals for this year are to go out and do our best to be competitive — and to give some students a chance to play, who normally don’t get this chance.”
On Thursday’s close loss, the coach said, “Rusty McInroy did very well, controlling the game for our team and helping out the less experienced players. The team played hard, but made some mistakes that come with inexperience. As the season continues, players will learn their roles and play better in their positions.”
The senior team’s next — and final — home league game is Thursday, Oct. 5 at 3:30 p.m.
The school is also fielding a Grade 7-8 junior team, with Rusty’s brother, Randolph McInroy doing duty on both squads. Coach Alistair McLachlan said the team plays in the Chilliwack middle school league and their season opener was Wednesday, Sept. 27, at G.W. Graham. Their first home game is on Monday, Oct. 2 and they close out the season at home on Thursday, Oct. 19.