The Cochrane Cobras likely wrapped up first place in the Rocky View Sports Association boys’ soccer league with a 2-1 win over the George McDougall Mustangs at Mitford Pond in Cochrane, May 17.
Coleson Dell had a goal and set up the game-winner from teammate Jake Farris, as the Cobras overcame an early deficit and dominated the second half to pull ahead of the Mustangs at the top of the standings.
Both teams have three wins, but Cochrane now holds the tie-breaker to claim first, if both teams win their final games on May 19 (George Mac plays Bert Church and Cochrane plays Springbank), and claim home field advantage for next week’s semi-finals.
“For us, it was important to come out on top and establish that morale,” said Cobras’ head coach Carolyn McLeod. “We couldn’t even have tied them, because they would have come out on top, so provided we win our next game on Thursday, we’d finish first.”
After George Mac scored in the first 15 minutes, the teams exchanged time of possession and scoring chances for the remainder of the first half. But Cochrane came out the stronger side in the second half, which began with Dell’s top shelf strike to tie the game in the 58th minute.
“I got the pass from my teammate, passed the defensive line, then was able to just put it in,” Dell said. “I think my speed helped me out a lot. We had a lot of great passing and our midfield played really well today.”
He nearly put the Cobras up, three minutes later, when he sailed a shot just over the bar. In the 68th minute, Dell made a run down the right flank and placed a perfect cross onto the head of Farris, who tapped it in for the ultimate game-winner.
“I didn’t even really see my teammate, but I knew he’d be there,” Dell said. “I just put the cross in and hoped for the best.”
“Once we took over the possession game, things started to turn around and we were able to generate plenty of offence,” McLeod said. “We recognized early that they were working harder than us. They were winning the battle and seem to want it more.”
Cobras’ keeper Travis Chace made a potential game-saving effort in the 74th minute, when he stopped Mustang striker Rahil Gillani on a point blank shot.
“I think that made the difference,” McLeod said.
“Our keeper had an outstanding game. It was a huge save for him and he’s a hugely valuable part of our team.”
Dell nearly made it 3-1 in the 76th minute, but George Mac keeper Connor Willmore made an outstanding outstretched save to deflect the ball over the bar.
The Mustangs looked to wrap up second place in the RVSA with a win over cross-town rival Bert Church, May 19, while Cochrane could officially clinch first with a win over Springbank.
“I hope we can finish it off and go into playoffs in first place – that’s where we want to be and start with a home game. But I think we’ll meet them (George Mac) again.”
Both RVSA semifinals will take place at 4:30 p.m. on May 24, with locations and matchups to be determined, while the first and third place finals will be held at Airdrie’s Monklands Park on May 26 at 4:30 p.m.
