B.C. Summer Games Champions - Fraser Valley Squad
Top Row (left to right): Dan Jones, Scott Hyams, Gurmaan Jhaj, Bavi Dhaliwal, Sangeet Sekhon, Karn Phagura, Michael North, Amar Mann, Matthew Bains, Brett Johnson.
Bottom Row (left to right): Matthew Roxburgh, Kyle Sohi, Lucas Johnson, Riley Flint, Kyle Jones.

After two and a half months of training and three days of competition in 30 degree heat in Kelowna the Fraser Valley boys soccer team came out as Champions of the 2008 B.C. Summer Games. Going into the games, the Fraser Valley were the reigning champions having won gold at the 2006 games in Kamloops. Having the unenviable position of being the 'team to beat', the Fraser Valley had to keep grounded and focused while other squads were eyeing the big target on their backs.

The Fraser Valley opened the round-robin with 4-0 win over Vancouver Island-Central Coast. The boys in blue were dominant in the game conceding zero shots on goal and controlling the tempo of the game. It was a good start and allowed the boys to get their legs and gather some momentum.

In game two, the Fraser Valley took on the Thompson-Okanagan who had thumped the Northwest in their opening game 8-1. With a win, the Fraser Valley could guarantee themselves top spot in Pool A and a spot in the semi-finals. They boys did not disappoint; they came out strong and slowly but decisively dismantled their opposition. Final score 7-0.

The third game of the round-robin against the North West could not affect the standings in the group but the coaching staff did not want to upset the momentum of the squad and worked to remain tactically sound. While the first half lacked the style of their previous matchups they were still up 2-0 at half. In the second frame the Fraser Valley pulled away with some spectacular goals as the North West slowly tired and could not keep up with the pace and skill of the Fraser Valley boys. Final score 7-0.

The semi-final saw a rematch of the 2006 gold medal game; Fraser Valley versus Fraser River-Delta. The game did not get off to a good start as the opposition scored inside five minutes to go up one to nil and then were awarded a penalty kick. A fortunate miss by Fraser River-Delta kept the game within one and shortly after the Fraser Valley would score to tie the game. Before the half they would add another and hold a slim 2-1 lead going into the break. While Fraser River-Delta remained constantly dangerous, the Fraser Valley countered well and were able to generate and finish several chances. Fraser Valley converted a corner for a 3-1 lead, then would add one more to put the game out of reach and polish off a 4-1 win. A solid performance earned a spot in the gold medal game.

Vancouver-Squamish was the opposition in the championship final. The Fraser Valley, playing their toughest competition thus far in the tournament, looked out of sorts. Vancouver-Squamish was out-hustling and shutting down the Fraser Valley's ability to build up. Mid way through the first half the Fraser Valley's sub-par performance caught up with them and Vancouver-Squamish converted a great strike for a 1-0 lead. After the goal, performance sagged even further and the squad struggled to get on the same page. In the second half, the Fraser Valley dug deep to muster up some kind of performance and was able to turn the tide slightly and get forward with a little more success but simply could not generate quality chances. With time winding down and still down a goal, the Blues pushed even harder and inside the final two minutes earned a corner that was swung in expertly and headed home with authority to tie the game at 1. At the final whistle the game went straight to penalties. Fraser Valley converted their first opportunity as did Vancouver-Squamish. The Blues finished their second chance and Vancouver-Squamish pushed theirs wide to give the edge to the Valley boys. Fraser Valley converted their third opportunity and the Blues keeper came up big with a stop to open a two goal lead. With a chance for the win the Fraser Valley shooter just missed the top corner but on the flip side of the forth round the Valley keeper came up big again and stoned Vancouver-Squamish to end the match; the Fraser Valley won the gold medal 2-1.

Pushed to their limit by a quality Vancouver-Squamish squad that was able to counter almost everything thrown at them by the Fraser Valley, the boys in blue would simply not roll over even when they were not at their best. The Fraser Valley proved to their coaches, fans and opponents that they truly had the quality of champions in finding a way to win against the toughest opponents when it mattered most.

Congratulations to the Fraser Valley boys on battle well fought and well won.