Pincher Creek's U18 soccer team edges Elkford in first game of season

U18 soccer - Pincher vs Elkford

Joey Jackson

Pincher Creek’s U18 soccer team finally got into game action this week on Monday May 11th when they traveled across the border to face Elkford for their first game of the season. After what turned out to be a little more chippy and rough than what you would imagine a minor league soccer game to be, Pincher Creek came out on top, winning a close fought game 5-4.

There were only 2 major fouls called throughout the game, one apiece for both teams and both resulting in goals. Pincher did have the upper hand on the score sheet and in possession time as well during the game, going up by two goals early in the game and then having to come back from a 1 goal deficit only to score another to end the game 5-4. While Elkford implemented a long ball game (kicking the ball up the field to strikers so that they can out run the defence) Pincher used head coach Jim Lamb's more upper level approach by maximizing possession time and making smart passes to gain time, space and to move the ball up the field. 

Pincher's Sam Gerand was the big goal scorer of the night, scoring 3 goals and the game winner, which came from the ensuing penalty kick after a major foul late in the game. His first two goals were both from the same spot and ended up in the back of the net in almost the same way, shooting from just inside the 18 yard box and overpowering Elkford's goalie with the speed of his shot, he mishandled the ball and it ended up trickling in both times. Levi Anderson scored Pincher's first goal to open the scoring for the season, by placing a shot just inside the post that couldn't be stopped.  Craig Oliver added a goal off a deflection from a corner kick.

Pincher's next U18 game is on Tuesday May 19th, when they will be playing Sparwood in Sparwood.  After that, all their games are home games.

Tuesday May 19

Pincher @ Sparwood 

Elkford has bye

Monday May 25 

Sparwood @ Elkford 

Pincher has bye 

Monday June 1

Elkford @ Pincher 

Sparwood has bye 

Monday June 8

Sparwood @ Pincher 

Elkford has bye

June 13 Year-end Tournament 

in Pincher Creek