The Alberta Soccer Association provincial championships last weekend in St. Albert brought out the best from the host Impact teams.
The U12 Tier I girls were awarded silver, the U16 Tier II boys finished fifth and the U12 Tier I boys placed sixth.
The eight-team tournament draw format featured two groups of four with crossover and medal finals. Games were played at Riel Recreation Park and the Eldorado, Erin Ridge, Hodgson and Salisbury fields.
In the U12 girls' final Sunday, Shae Demale scored the only goal against the Impact in the tournament as the Red Deer Renegades posted their fourth shutout in four games.
"It was a close game," said Impact coach Randy Herlein of the 1-0 loss. "It wasn't the end result the players were striving for, but nevertheless I am very proud of the effort and determination they showed."
In the round robin the Renegades recorded 14 goals and the Impact netted six, as both teams finished first in their respective groupings with three wins apiece.
"The girls had a fantastic tournament," Herlein said. "Obviously they worked very hard as we only gave up one goal in four games. The defenders played great and both keepers, Nadine Kowalyshyn and Cassie Cimolai, had an outstanding tournament."
The Impact posted identical 2-0 victories against the KC Trojans, NSDSC United and the Cochrane Thunder Wolves for a shot at the gold.
Elizabeth Crothers and Marisa Roaquin scored against the Trojans, Crothers and Abby Wilson connected against United and Freya Feely and Parker Moore tallied against Cochrane.
"I was very pleased with the composure and decision making the players displayed with the ball all weekend. They went forward and attacked as a team and defended as a team. It was great to watch them play so well," Herlein said.
The U16 Impact boys wrapped up a winning season with a 3-1 decision over Beaumont FC in Sunday's fifth/sixth playoff.
Noah Cunningham, Dylan Enes and Andres Soto scored as Impact finished 2-1-1 at provincials.
The Impact registered more goals against Beaumont than in the round robin. Andriy Peknyi scored in the 2-1 loss to SE Storm, Jake Schepian supplied the offence in the 1-0 win over Calgary Blizzard Storm and the last round robin game was a scoreless stalemate against Lethbridge FC.
"If we had scored the goal needed versus Lethbridge we were in the final, but couldn't find the net," said Impact coach Jamie Rochat. "We dominated possession in all the games but the common theme all weekend was our ineffectiveness in the final third. All season when we needed a goal we were able to get it. It should be tougher in provincials and it proved to be so."
In league play the Impact finished tied for top spot in league play with 13 wins and one loss.
The Impact were also silver medallists in Kelowna playing up a year in a Tier I tournament.
"We had a great season," Rochat said.
U12 boys
The U12 Impact boys dropped three straight games after kicking off provincials with a 2-1 win over the Spruce Grove Saints.
Daniel Ward potted a pair against the Saints.
Patrick Charrois also notched two goals in the 5-4 loss to Leduc United. Jacob Turpin and Matthew Vickers added singles.
Maclaine Thompson kicked in the only Impact goal in the 6-1 loss to Foothills to complete the round robin.
Sunday's fifth/sixth playoff ended with a 7-0 loss to SWU Thunder.
"The kids worked hard all weekend and were up against some really tough competition," said coach Brad Delhez. "We are very proud of the boys' efforts this year. They have really progressed and worked hard all season long consistently improving and giving a tremendous effort for us during training and play."
