April showers bring May flowers – if showers mean blue cards and flowers mean goals and fun!
Just like that, we’re into the second half of the Spring League season. June is just around the corner, the weather is getting warmer, and everyone is getting into the Spring League groove. We’ve gone several weeks without a blue card, so either the referees are getting lenient or everyone’s starting to get on board – long may the latter continue! We’re getting into the tournament and vacation season as we creep closer to summer, so it’ll be fun to see how things develop into July! The Waddy Cup is entering its third round, and the teams are making progress towards our curtain-closing Poppy Cup tournament in July.
Things are heating up, but in the meantime, here is a brief update on all the teams as I see it:
1. Forest Green
Forest Green has started off the season on an unprecedented run – 9 straight wins in all competitions before falling 1-0 to Purple in the Waddy Cup last week. The third oldest team in the league is leaning on experienced Steelhead veterans, such as Kevin Smith, Justin Parish, David Grey, and Tom Peterson. Captain Curtis Flynn has led by example, and Paige Hart has been consistently thriving to drive the team forward.
2. Purple
Led by Ellie Irvine and Jeevan Dhami, Purple is a well-oiled machine from top to bottom. A blend of u16 youth and o50 experience, they are an exemplary Spring League team. They goal-keep by committee, with 4 different members registering a clean sheet to some description. 7 total clean sheets in all competitions, they’re getting it done at both ends.
3. Royal Blue
On the other hand, Royal Blue is the only Spring League team with 2 designated goalkeepers! After Owen Papineau bowed out to pursue lacrosse – and allegedly some recreational money-lines – Hisham Mohamed has picked up the reins in a seamless transition. First time captains Clifford MacFarlane and Declan Sanders have so far nailed their draft strategy, as their first three selections in Liam van Niekerk and Cade Smith are leading both male and female points charts.
4. White
Wily veteran pair Connor Crichton and Tim den Hartigh had arguably the biggest headstart going into the season. The two Division 1 calibre players have one of the stingiest defenses in the league. Complimented by excited attacking options in Alex Smith, Marissa Morris, and cult hero Chris Young scoring big when they need it most, they are a juggernaut to be reckoned with as we enter the summer months.
5. Black
Jordan and Isaiah’s father-son captaincy could not resist the temptations of assembling a u21 squad on draft day. Together with fellow coaches Cassandra Crocker, Jamie Bourgeois, and Kalvin Dykstra, this team has blossomed since opening day. Certainly the most vocal Spring League team in the league, the early dissent blues are a thing of the past, and the team is starting to gel. Lead by u21 stalwarts Josh Gilbert and Micah Croswell, lookout for this group going forward!
6. Navy
The high-flying Navy Blue team Tristan Price and Moe Osman have put together leaves no spectator in their seat for long. Herman Parmar leads the league in goals per game with 14 in his 6 appearances, adding one more in the Waddy Cup. Supported by Rowan Smith and Everett Piper, the goals are flowing like water. Even regular goalkeeper Kai Joseph got a hat-trick in his last game. Manny Rathor and Khasi Dietrich are tasked with holding down the fort. Offence wins games, but will it win a championship?
7. Gold
Another team with an equally potent striker – former Cowichan Division 1 player of the season Michael Daniels has been involved in 20 of Gold’s 22 goals so far this season. Jaeda Douglas and Mike Bellefleur have been well rewarded with their first round selection, and will be hoping their supporting cast of Sam Smith, Jeremy Prior, and Kendra Gibson can join in on the fun.
8. Orange
Tianna Chau has actively embraced the player-manager role as she continues to recover from an off-season surgery, while Taya Brubacher leads by example on the field. A perfectly average start of 4 wins, 4 losses, 15 goals for and 15 goals against has set the stage, the team is ripe to heat up alongside the weather. The power-couple of Karl Gibson and Maria Jaramillo, the spine of Owen Russell and Parker Terpstra, and the u21 versatility of Simon Garnett and Avner Dachsel-Kerr are set to ‘surge’.
9. Pink
George White and Chris Watson have linked for the second year in a row to set the Spring League tone. They come, they play, and they have fun. The family line continues this spirit, with Honey White and William Watson always playing with a smile on their face. The team is built on family, friendship, and good vibes, the results are just a by-product. Eric Nelson, Kyle Rutherford, and Russell Beck have all taken shifts in the keeper rotation. Their quest continues as holders of the Waddy Cup, continuing into the winner’s bracket next week.
10. Silver
Being the only team to have conceded an own goal that couldn’t possibly be given to someone on the other team, Silver have begun to hit their stride. Poppy White and Keeth Winia lead a Silver team with a strong 49er contingency. Spring League founder Neall Rowlings, with the golden boot trophy named after him, has found himself at home as a centerback. Mike Carroll and Ryan McNally pull the strings further up the field. Supported by Emmanuel Murwisi, Sydney Brownlow, and Taneal Thomas, the team is marching upwards in multiple competitions.
11. Kelly Green
Kelly Hall and Xitiluq Hwitsum head the ‘most experienced’ Spring League team this year. Supported by fellow super-couples in Adam Paulson and Kate Collins, and Paulo Pheasey and Rachel Stewart in front of Division 1 goalkeeper Braeden Nash, this team is hard to score on. The Daniels’ brothers William and Lucas are tasked with the goalscoring fire-power in both the league and the Waddy Cup. With Ryan Flynn dictating from the defensive line, can this team go on a run?
12. Lime
On the other end of the spectrum, Lime is the joint-youngest team. Al Casta has taken on a bigger leadership role since captain Matt Archambault went down with a knee injury. Chad and Nate Bastien form the core of the team, with Ole MacKay the maestro on the ball and Emil Fichter patrolling up top. Spring League rookies Amelia Calverley and Sophie Caddell bring the pace and tenacity out wide with late addition Alessandro Grunwald in goal. They appear to have the pieces, it just needs to click.
13. Teal
Teal is another team that exemplifies the family and friend’s affair that Spring League loves to support. Nic and Sarah Jones head a team that is largely unchanged from last season. Rookie Caleb Shortreid, son of Matt, has taken the league by storm and has become Teal’s metronome. The Owen brothers Matt and Toby make things happen at both ends of the pitch, both good and bad. Despite their record in the league, games have been close, and it’s a matter of time before they push through.
14. Yellow
The team with the largest u16 contingency, Yellow has a youthful exuberance that loves to attack – defence is an afterthought for Megan Branch and Jessica Bernatchez. Logan King and Riley Morris lead the kids, while Spring League sophomore Jesse Langhout is enjoying a fruitful season up top. Selects superstar Jule Wegener has been under-fire since day one, but has 3 penalty saves to her name and always gives the team a fighting chance. Yassin Nayel had a magnificent debut against Navy last week, and will be a beacon of hope going forward.
15. Red
The other joint-youngest team, the Firefox(?) is looking to find their rhythm. Being hit with injury and absence has seen captain Sal Seif become moulded into a central midfielder, an opportunity he is grabbing with both hands. Newcomers Josh Lavigne and Logan Groicher have come in to help steady the ship, but the team will rely on keeper Andrew Abernethy, rookie midfielder Zylo Green, and Selects leading goalscorer Jada Hill to lead the charge for the remainder of the season.
16. Grey
Captains Luke Massey and Marshall Wilkins have endured their injuries this season, but anything is possible when the Wynne-credibles are leading the playmaking efforts. Miles Boulton and Wali Abdirahmen have been bringing the goals, with iconic due Janet LeBlanc and Brooklynn Macknak supporting throughout. Once the defence is shored up in front of u23 captain Ella Dupuy, this team will climb the rankings.
Here is the scoring leaderboard across all competitions as we enter the second half of the season
Goals (male)
- Herman Parmar 15 goals in 7 games
- Michael Daniels 14 goals in 7 games
- Jeevan Dhami 12 goals in 10 games
- Josh Gilbert 11 goals in 10 games
- Liam van Niekirk 10 goals in 9 games
Goals (female)
- Cade Smith 6 goals in 9 games
- Paige Hart 4 goals in 10 games
- Kelsey Ambler 3 goals in 9 games
- Honey White 2 goals in 7 games
- Avi Sharabi 2 goals in 8 games
Poppy White, Nishaa Dhami, Marissa Morris tied at 2 goals in 10 games
Assists (male)
- Rowan Smith 8 assists in 10 games
- Alexander Smith 7 assists in 9 games
- Kevin Smith 7 assists in 10 games
Liam van Niekirk, Gideon Clarke, Tristan Price, and Justin Parish tied at 6 assists in 9 games
Assists (female)
- Paige Hart 5 assists in 10 games
- Marissa Morris 5 assists in 10 games
- Ellie Irvine 3 assists in 6 games
- Cade Smith 3 assists in 9 games
- Poppy White 3 assists in 10 games
Clean sheets (combined)
- Tim den Hartigh 5 clean sheets
- Jai Irvine 4 clean sheets
- Curtis Flynn 3.5 clean sheets
- Braeden Nash 3 clean sheets
- John Lohsen 2 clean sheets
I’m looking forward to seeing what is in store for the remainder of another wonderful Spring League season, with Waddy Cup carrying on, and the Poppy Cup on the horizon. For the more competitive players, please stay tuned for Summer League registration, which should be rolling out at the beginning of next month. July 20 to August 6, each Monday and Thursday from 6-9pm. 6 teams, 2 games per team per night. Perfect for getting fitness up in time for tryouts in August.
See you all out there! – Antony