Another season of BC boys varsity soccer is in the books. In the past few seasons we have seen the team grow and improve tremendously, so much so that they were ACIS championship contenders. The 2014 season brought many obstacles and challenges to overcome. Since key players graduated and a new head coach was appointed, the season seemed like it would be focused around rebuilding. However, behind the strength of upperclassmen leadership and a dedicated new coaching staff, the Lions had a strong 2014 campaign and were once again contenders for the ACIS crown.

The season got off to a rocky start with consecutive losses to ACIS foes Packer, St. Anne’s and UNIS. The Lions were able to regroup and managed to tie Portledge, followed by their first win against Our Saviour New American School. Then came arguably the toughest part of the 2014 season. The Lions dropped 4 straight games, each game lost by one goal. Most teams in this position would quickly crumble because of these heartbreaking losses. Not this team. “This was a turning point in our season. I got our guys together and told them that this season wasn’t over and that we would have plenty of chances to show that we are a good squad. We had the talent we just needed to gel”, said senior captain Felix Pilkington. The team responded to the seniors’ leadership, beginning their four-game winning streak. They bared their teeth and beat both Packer and Dwight, schools who had beaten the Lions only weeks before.  The team rode this momentum through the rest of the regular season, picking up a win against Solomon Schecter and managing to draw Friends Seminary, who they had lost 5-0 to a week earlier. With their late season push, the Lions were able to make the playoffs in the ACIS as well as the PSAA. The Lions were eliminated in the semifinals of both leagues, but played hard, and earned the respect of their opponents.

The BC community is proud of the Boys Varsity team’s performance this year and looks to build on the good and improve on the bad from this year. The team was built on young talent and there is reason to believe that they will come back much stronger next year. “We were left with a bad taste in our mouth from this year and the guys who will be back next year will be hungry to finish on a better note”, said junior Tom Shea. The Lions plan to put in hard work this offseason and look to make another run at an ACIS and PSAA championship in 2015.