The Centennial Centaurs are hoping to turn disappointment at the Fraser North zone senior boys high school soccer final into success at the provincial championships.
The Centaurs lost last Thursday’s finale to determine the top team from the Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Burnaby and New Westminster school districts, 2-1 to the Port Moody Blues. It was Centennial’s first setback of the season after the team romped through the regular season with six wins and a draw.
But Centaurs coach Kevin Comeau said the loss to a tough, physical Port Moody side that defended well might be just what his charges need to steel themselves for the tournament ahead.
“We hadn’t really had a super close game to this point,” he said.
“I’m hoping the feeling of having our first loss of the season — in a championship final — will be one the boys remember and not want to experience again.”
Comeau said he fully believes Centennial can compete with any side in the province.
And while the team will have a tougher climb at provincials because of a lower seeding, the days-long pause until the tournament begins at the Burnaby Lake Sports Complex on Nov. 23 gives players a chance to heal from some injuries and illness as well as study what they can learn from their loss to the Blues.
“Our boys are very motivated to have a strong showing,” Comeau said, adding that’s especially true as most of the players are in their graduating year.
“I’m confident we will be able to rebound.”
Football season ends
While Centennial's soccer team looks forward to its shot to win a provincial championship, the season is over for the school's varsity football team.
The Centaurs lost to Rutland, 49-7, in their wild card playoff game on Saturday in Kelowna.
Centennial went into the game with two wins in six regular season game, while the Voodoo had a record of 4-2.
