INUVIK
Despite high spirits and expectations, Inuvik's senior soccer teams came home disappointed after last week's second week of Super Soccer in Yellowknife.

Cris-Lynn Hvatum (2), left, and Mackenzie McDonald (7) of the East Three Eagles defend against a player from Hay River's Ecole Boreale at the Diavik Super Soccer tournament in Yellowknife May 1. East Three played to a 3-0 loss. - James McCarthy/NNSL photo

"Our players had a hard time adjusting to the size of the fieldhouse, more so than in other years," said senior boys team coach Colin Pybus May 2, adding that the competition in the combined A and AA division was fierce.

"Mr. Miller and I are proud of their effort and the way they composed themselves, even when the scoreboard did not reflect the level of play in the game."

Pybus had said before leaving for the tournament April 28 that the boys team was one of the strongest he had seen in his tenure at East Three Secondary School and that he had high hopes for them winning the banner. The team had made it into the final during the previous two years.

Both the boys and the girls teams lost in the A level semi-finals in their respective divisions, but Pybus commended the girls on fighting through challenges and keeping in good spirits despite them.

The team played shorthanded through two injuries.

"It was a gutsy, hard-fought tournament for them," he said. "Their coaches and the whole team did a fantastic job playing through adversity, right to the last whistle."

Two weeks ago, junior teams travelled to the capital for their own chance at the banner.

The junior girls' team won three games and lost two, but overall came home with high spirits and an appetite for competition.

"It was amazing . a really good experience to have," said player Libby MacLeod. "It was my first time playing in the fieldhouse, and it was hard."

Coach Denise Ritias said the games were exciting and that all the girls worked hard to represent their school and community.

"The experience was great for them," Ritias said. "It was their first time in the fieldhouse and they played really well. My co-coach Sally Ross and I are very proud of them."

While the soccer season in Inuvik is winding down, the trials for the Canada Games team are just getting underway.

Pybus said the regional ID camp for the 2017 team will take place in Inuvik in mid-June, with the selection camp following in September.

"The more bodies we can get out there trying out, the better team we're going to have," he said.

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