VMSA Players Win Medals at Provincial Championship Game

VMSA Players Win Medals at Provincial Championship Game

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

A lot of achievements have been happening for the Outdoor Soccer Season 2022 at the Outdoor Provincials Championship 2022 games at Camrose on July 8 to 10. Three local boys: Connor, William and Harley from Vegreville contributed to the Gold Medal status which was won by the Lakeland U17 Boys. VMSA Vegreville Thunder U17 Girls were Silver Medal Winner, and VMSA Vegreville Thunder U13 Girls were Bronze Medal Winners.

The U17 Vegreville Thunder Girls who won Silver Medals at the Provincials.

(Sheila Stemberger/Submitted Photo)

The U13 Vegreville Thunder Girls who won Bronze Medals at the Provincials.

(Jennifer Sperling/ Submitted Photo)

Coach and Director, Media for Bonnyville Soccer Association Curtis Conrad said these three local boys chose to be on the regional team (Lakeland) as there were not enough players to form a U17 team in the towns. “As for the boy’s performance, they became important and reliable members of the team. William and Harley both played defense. Connor played striker. He had played that position most of his soccer career.

It was a pleasure to coach the boys. Talking with them, I voiced my pleasure and gratitude that Vegreville soccer and specifically the three boys and their families decided to join with us to make an extremely competitive team. They indicated that this was a rewarding experience for them and they want to continue with their soccer journey. They also indicated that if the right situation presents itself again, they would like to play with this group of boys again even as early as this indoor season,” Conrad explained.

L-R. The three local boys: Connor, William and Harley who were selected for Lakeland U17 Boys team to play for Provincials Lakeland and who contributed to Gold Medal status at Provincials.

(Jennifer Sperling/Submitted Photo)

Coach for U17 Girls Sheila Stemberger said it was a great season where their team only had one loss during regular season and then the one loss for the Provincial games. “We had a really tough group who pushed through adversity and had a successful session because of it. The parents were very supportive and we all loved seeing the kids get a full real season of soccer again,” Stemberger said.

Coach for U13 Girls Rory Sterling said overall they had a great season. “Due to lower registration numbers coming out of COVID, our U13 Girls team consisted of four second year players, two first year players and nine under age players which meant the majority of the team has never played on the full field. We also had the additional challenge of no goalie experience. Three girls: Dawn, Alyn, and Ada steeped up and were outstanding all year. The strength of our team from day one was the way the girls all came together and worked truly as a team,” Sterling said.

VMSA Communications Director Shelley Berry added that U13 and U17 Girls only played that one weekend in Camrose for Provincials. “Provincial competitions are hosted all over Alberta, but the Rural Youth were in Camrose this year. City Teams were at a different location,but Lakeland Teams play wherever the Rural Provincials are held,” Berry explained.

When asked how the weekend games went overall, Berry said, “The weekend went well! It was a little windy for a few games, but other than that, it went great! Sportsmanship was great and both girls’ teams gave it their all and had a lot of fun! Our three boys fit in well with the Lakeland U17 Boys Team and they also had a great weekend! Veg Soccer is super proud of how well the teams did at Provincials!” Berry added.