SASKATOON—The national soccer title was four years in the making for Saskatoon Alliance coach Dan Weber and his team, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the tournament in 2020 and 2021.
But it was worth the wait, as Saskatoon Alliance completed a nail-biting 2-1 win over Ontario’s Thornhill Bolts on Monday, Oct. 14, in the finals of the 2024 Toyota National Championship at Ness Timmons Field in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
“It's just something that we dreamed of doing. I've been working with these boys for four years, and they've been to Nationals three times. This has been their dream for four years,” Weber told SaskToday, minutes after their win over the Bolts.
Saskatoon Alliance represented the province in the U15 division in 2022, finishing seventh place. The team's core moved up to the U17 division and placed sixth in the 2023 tournament, which Burnaby FC won.
“This is Saskatchewan’s first national title. It is the first time in history for the province. I won’t say bragging rights for us. We are just happy for the team. The sacrifices they made during the hours of practice. They were focused and determined,” said Weber.
“We had morning and evening practices and emphasized the square drills. The boys know what I’m talking about in passing the ball in a square. I stressed that the ball should be on the ground, using their right foot. We did thousands of touches drills this summer.”
After a scoreless first half, Ontario broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute. Nazar Bulyhin, named tournament MVP, levelled in the 52nd minute after receiving a pass from team captain Simon Weber.
With the ball already wet due to the light rain, Weber blocked the Ontario keeper’s attempt for a long ball and took a slight touch towards Bulyhin at his left side. Bulyhin dribbled twice against two defenders and left-footed a shot outside the box that sailed past the Bolts’ keeper’s stretched right hand.
Team Saskatchewan’s second goal came in the 56th-minute courtesy of Tristao Hein, who took advantage of three Ontario players’ miscommunication inside the box, beating the diving keeper to score the game-winner.
The Bolts tried to send the game into penalties, but Alliance’s defence held on even for three minutes of added time. An Ontario player, who could have been frustrated in the game, was even sent off in the final minutes of stoppage time after a hard tackle to Weber.
Celebration erupted when the referee blew the final whistle, with Saskatoon Alliance members running inside the pitch to congratulate their teammates.
“I don't know. It's funny because I had this feeling that we were going to win. It didn't change my thoughts. Like it, I didn't know how it would evolve, but the boys stayed focused. They kept working, and the ball fell in the back of the net,” said Weber.
“I’m still in shock, in celebration, Cloud 9. You set a goal for something so long, and it's finally here. It finally happened. That was the longest three minutes [added time]. It couldn't come fast enough, that's for sure.”
Saskatoon Alliance, which is expected to return on Tuesday, Oct. 15., defeated PEI FC, 2-1, in the semifinals after topping Group B with wins over Halifax County United FC (3-2), Fredericton DSA (2-1); and Edmonton BTB SC (1-0).
Ontario topped Group A, and their road to the finals was marked by victories over CS Saint Laurent (3-1), Surrey BC Tigers (6-0), and Conception Bay South Strikers FC (6-0). However, Winnipeg AK SA held them to a 1-1 draw.
Saskatoon Alliance’s U15 girl's team failed to make a double celebration for Team Saskatchewan as they lost to Edmonton Warriors in the finals, 3-0. In the girls’ U17 division, Saskatoon Alliance finished 10th, while Astra Soccer Academy’s U15 boys duplicated their eighth-place finish last year.
