Stanstead played a solid first game at the 2024 CAIS tournament and outplayed their opponents but could not find the back of the net. Gabe earned the clean sheet, our defence was rock solid and our midfield and forwards synced well in producing some quality scoring chances. The lesson learned was we needed to be more ruthless in front of the opponent’s goal. TCS 0 – Spartans 0.

 

Game 2 was a scrappy affair against Ridley College, and, while we played our usual passing game, the Tigers’ aggressive pressure upset and interrupted the time and space we normally have on the ball in the ETIAC. Although we outshot last year’s CAIS tournament hosts in the first half, they scored in the 27^th minute to lead 1-0 at the half. A much better Spartan second half denied the Tigers a single shot on goal, and at the other end of the field, we produced a couple of excellent scoring chances that were denied by the hands of an experienced Tigers goalkeeper. Some great lessons were learned on day 1 that we would take forward. Ridley 1 – Spartans 0.

 

While CDS came flying out of the traps and tested Poitras in the Spartans goal with two long-range shots in the first couple of minutes, Stanstead weathered the early storm and bounced back to outshoot CDS by a 5-3 first-half margin. More importantly, Henry, on a nice sequence of passes from Jordan and Josh, broke the Spartan scoreless streak of 161 minutes when he scored a beauty in the 21^st minute to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead at halftime. This goal broke CDS’s team spirit, and Stanstead went on to produce 10 second-half shots and 3 more goals. Noah E., on a long ball from fellow winger Jeremiah  scored in the 54^th minute, followed eight minutes later with a fine solo run and shot by Felix. Max Aboud, flying into the penalty area in the 35^th minute, capped off a dominating Spartan win, as his shot completed the game’s scoring. Spartans 4 – CDS 0.

 

Hillfield took the lead in the 18^th minute, and then in the 27^th minute, they had a man receive a direct red card for denying a clear and obvious goal scoring chance. Their last defender swiped Felix’s legs out from under him as Felix advanced closer to goal. While out of action for a couple of minutes in obvious pain, Felix bounced back to tie the score in the 32^nd minute. Jordan played a great corner kick into the penalty area, and Felix was quick on his feet to slam the ball into the net. 1-1 at the half. Here’s the frustrating thing about soccer: one team, Stanstead, has an eleven-to-ten-man advantage, and while that team entirely dominates the second half, the opponent, Hillfield, finds the resolve to defend as if their lives depended on it, which they did. The game ended 1-1 so we needed penalty kicks to decide the outcome, as playoff placement in the tournament was at stake. While Gabe, in goal, was quick to read shot placement correctly and get his hands on some shots, the Hillfield shooters’ collective experience in such circumstances was greater than that of the Spartans. Hillfield outscored Stanstead 4-2 and won the game 2-1. A couple of great lessons were learned here. First, don’t change your mind at the last second as to where you’re going to shoot on goal. Trust yourself. Secondly, practicing penalty shots in training sessions does not replicate the stress and pressure of game situations. It helps with muscle memory but one must live the in-game experience to develop the confidence to deal with these game-defining moments.

 

At the 2023 CAIS tournament, HTS eliminated the Spartans from further playoff contention, so for the returning players, there may have been thoughts of retribution on their minds. An early 8 am start, a cold, frost-covered field, and the lingering thoughts from the penalty kick defeat the previous afternoon could have spelled disaster for the Spartans in this game had the players let those thoughts affect them. However, the players’ collective leadership and pride were at stake, and giving up is not in their nature. Goals from Josh, Gabe and Eelis were countered twice by HTS and the Spartans led 3-2 at halftime. An eventful second half ended with HTS scoring on the last kick of the game in official time to force a second penalty kick shootout in less than twenty-four hours. How would the Spartans react? Well, lessons were learned, and experience was gained against Hilfield as Jordan, Jeremiah, Henry and Josh all stepped up, took super shots and all scored against only two goals from HTS. The boys looked like seasoned pros compared to the day before, and those lessons were characteristic of their eagerness to learn and willingness to be coached. Well done! Spartans 4 (penalty kicks) – HTS 3.

 

In the 6^th and final game of the 3-day tournament, both teams were dead tired and just looking forward to wrapping things up and heading home. CDS and Stanstead both had playoffs beginning early in the week ahead and they wanted to avoid the potential for injuries. So, captains and coaches agreed to a mini-game format of two halves of twenty minutes. Albeit a short one, the game was played with great sportsmanship and fun, with CDS winning 2-0. With this result, Stanstead finished the 2024 CAIS tournament with 2 wins, 3 losses and a tie, which landed them in 6^th place in the sliver division. The team displayed great sportsmanship and maturity throughout the entire trip. Equally important were there were no injuries, just very tired and sore bodies, but individually and collectively, spirits were high, and the boys were looking forward to ETIAC playoffs at home beginning on Tuesday, October 22^nd.