GNS 3 ST. ANDREWS 1
The soccer machine known as the Glenlyon Norfolk School Gryphons continues to churn out provincial titles, adding its latest in a 3-1 victory Saturday afternoon over the St. Andrew's Sabres.
The senior boy's single A club, under soccer director Hugh Williams, captured a sixth championship (fourth consecutive). The Victoria school battled back from a 1-0 deficit to tie it just before the halftime break.
The Gryphons - sa国际传媒 double A victors last season - dominated the second half as the Sabres appeared to tire out.
"It was a crucial goal. Credit to St. Andrew's, they were very well organized, tough to break down and very well coached. We didn't have much momentum, but once we scored that goal, it turned things around and we never looked back," Williams said of Liam Shillington's goal that evened it off a corner late in the first half.
Jason Bradbury finished off a beauty on a ball from Jyotish Khanna to make it 2-1 early in the second half and Rhys Fletcher-Berna put the final nail in the coffin as he pounced on the original save by Sabres' keeper James Saville.
Calvin Paterson had opened scoring for the Sabres in the ninth minute on a shot from just inside the box that beat Ari Mitra to his right.
"That goal was art. That was a pass that very few players can make and Jason's finish was clinical.
It was a brilliant goal," Williams said of the Gryphons' second marker.
"We started it off slow, we picked it up in the second half, and that first goal set a fire in our bellies," said Bradbury who was named the tournament's most valuable player and also claimed the Golden Boot for his five goals during the round-robin portion.
"It feels great," the Grade 11 student said of the championship, his first ever having moved back to his native Victoria after seven years in Australia. "This is my first, so it's sweet for me."
It was the second championship crown over the Sabres this season after a 2-1 victory in the Island final. St. Andrew's did knock off the Gryphons in the Colonist Cup semifinal just this past week.
"Yeah, they got us twice in the big ones. That's what we told the boys coming in. We always say the previous battles don't matter. When we look back on it, they have the two gold medals," coach Mark Cristante said of his Sabres, who were sa国际传媒 single A champions last season.
"The best part is, our season is not over," he added. "We have a chance to finish the season on a winning note. We're going to go out next Wednesday (Nov. 14) and give what we have."
The Sabres will face the Lambrick Park Lions in the Colonist Cup.
The sa国际传媒 championships was a clash of two very evenly matched teams.
"I'm elated," said Williams, who had 17 Grade 12s graduate. "This year feels very special for sure.
"This is a great rivalry and it shows you that single A teams can compete. We at GNS have always said that is our mission and we do it regularly. St. Andrew's deserves a lot of credit as well.
"They beat us in the Colonist Cup semifinals and we wish them all the best in that final."
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