Underdog Gators looking to claim NOSSA soccer title

There is one boys soccer banner hanging in the Bishop Alexander Carter gymnasium.

To four-year veteran defender Sam Hinds and his teammates, it isn’t enough.

It has ignited their drive and sense of pride to chase down another one. The empty space beside the first banner — won this year at the Macdonald Cartier Pantheres Invitational — and the opportunity to fill it is the motivation for the Golden Gators boys soccer team. The majority of them are in Grade 12 and on the cusp of graduating and never playing high school soccer again.

The players want to win the regional (NOSSA) banner as their ultimate testament for the school and city. Many of the players have shared the anguish of heart-breaking losses in penalty kicks in a semifinal playoff game and the sheer bitterness of losing in the first round of the playoffs. They want to go out sharing the joy of being champions.

“The last four years have been building to this year for us,” Hinds said.
“It would mean a lot to win the NOSSA banner and put that banner in our gym because we know we will have earned it.

“We have a lot of pride at our school,” he added. “We’re trying to prove a lot for our school, not just ourselves. There’s a lot of guys on this team that have been here for many years. We know we can go out and do this.”

The players set high goals this year to win at least one tournament banner, and the mission was accomplished. The banner represented a true tangible result for the Golden Gators. The tournament victory showed them firsthand what it takes for a team to pull out all the stops to achieve success.

And they know they have it in them to repeat the success at higher levels.

“It makes a big difference on how we play,” Grade 12 defender Chris Hannon said.

“It was a big confidence boost for all of us. Getting the first banner in our school’s history for boys soccer was a big deal. It showed us what we can do when we play as a team.

“In previous years, we haven’t done too good,” Hannon added. “This year, we’re serious and focused. There are a lot of good teams and we’re underdogs, but we know we can pull off the upsets. It will take a lot more teamwork.”

There was some soul-searching on the team last season after going 4-2-1 in the regular season and bowing out in the first round of the playoffs.

Despite the strong regular season record, many on the team felt more could have been done. Regret isn’t something the graduating players want on their minds this time around. For many, it is their last shot at high school soccer glory and they don’t want to waste the final opportunity.

“The maturity level is different this year,” Grade 12 midfielder Joe Thompson said.

“We looked seriously at ourselves and realized we have the talent to win, but had to come together as a team. This year, our teamwork has been unbelievable. We’re all willing to do anything for the team. We have each other’s backs and we’re there for each other on and off the field. We’re ready to do more this year.”

Bishop Carter boys soccer head coach Vincze Paparo wants his players to enjoy the experience, but not get caught up in the hype of the season. He said the team is poised and primed to make its presence felt.

“They are determined to win games,” Paparo said.

“They are quietly confident, but grounded enough not to be cocky. They never quit, no matter what. From my mature fourth-year guys to our Grade 9 player, all of them are contributors.”

He said the players are at their best when they are having fun.

“There’s no pressure. They know how to shoot, dribble and pass. It is an easy game when they play it as a team,” he said. “I also tell them often that individual plays make for very hard practices the next day.”

The coach said the key to success is not to be intimidated by the schools who have been successful in past years.

“The league play is so close that any team has the ability to win or lose on any day. Something special is happening this year. Enjoy the ride, don’t take it too seriously.”