Oak Bay High senior boys soccer team heads to provincials Wednesday on a high.
The team scored a narrow 1-0 win over Reynolds last night (Nov. 16) for the coveted Colonist Cup.
The loss at Centennial Stadium was the first in two years for the Saanich team, and an emotional high for the Oak Bay Bays who dedicated this season to a former player.
The Bays dedicated its season to former captain Dylan Jones who died Sept. 13 at the age of 27.
“He was a great great kid it’s just a shame he lost the three-year battle with leukemia,” said coach Richard Fast, who coached Jones, a student athlete in multiple sports. “So this one is kind of for him and his family, to keep his legacy.”
Fast says the team outplayed Reynolds in the first half, with Diego Maffia notching the lone goal.
“The kids battled really hard and played really well,” Fast said. “We played really well in the first half, I think they outplayed us in the second half.”
Bays goaltender Trevor Izard held on for the shutout in the fan-filled stadium at UVic.
“It’s just bragging right, it’s a very old prestigious championship,” Fast said. “Former would cup players have taken part in this.”
With Jones in their hearts, and DJ embroidered on the uniforms, Oak Bay heads to provincials seeded No. 2 on the Island, behind Reynolds.
“You hope kids buy into the history of the championships and the school spirit and playing for each other as opposed to themselves,” Fast said. “The guys worked really hard, even the players that weren’t playing supported the ones playing and it makes for a good team culture.”
Provincials start Nov. 22 in Burnaby. Reynolds took that title last year.
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