Evaluating Holy Cross's Performance at the Nationals by Gord Dunphy

Holy Cross - 2009 Provincial Challenge Cup Champions

Holy Cross went undefeated at the 2009 Nationals with three ties and 1 win.

GROUP B

	Team	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Beauport	4	2	0	2	7	2	5	8
2	Avondale Islanders	4	2	1	1	8	3	5	7
3	Holy Cross	4	1	0	3	7	2	5	6
4	Halifax City	4	1	1	2	5	5	0	5
5	Yukon Selects	4	0	4	0	1	16	-15

GROUP A

	Team	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Calgary Callies	4	3	1	0	7	3	4	9
2	Hellas FC	4	3	1	0	5	4	1	9
3	West Vancouver	4	2	2	0	4	5	-1	6
4	Huskies Alumni	4	1	2	1	5	4	1	4
5	Real Toronto	4	0	3	1	3	8	-5	1

In game one Holy Cross tied the Quebec team 1-1 but they certainly outplayed them. They started tentative but grew confidence as the game got older. This game was played out doors in near freezing temperatures. It was Quebec opening the scoring at the 77 minute mark but it was Zack Wade scoring 5 minutes later to knot the score at the 82 minute with a beauty. Holy Cross looked good in this contest and very easily could have won the match. Jeremy Babstock was solid on defense.

In game two again Holy Cross looked good against their opponents from PEI but as in game one they failure to capitalize on their chances. In the end, the hero of the match turned out to be Holy Cross goalkeeper, Scott Edwards who preserved the 0-0 tie when he made a fantastic save on a PEI penalty shot to keep Holy Cross in contention in the tournament.

Game three saw a sea of red as Holy Cross bombarded the Yukon Selects on their way to a 5-0 victory. Jon Hawco(2), Corey Moore, Aaron Anstey and Jeremy Babstock all dented the twine for Holy Cross. This was the second shot -out of the tournament recorded by Scott Edwards.

Game Four: A victory in this game would send Holy Cross to the Gold medal game. It was a early goal by Halifax at the 8 minute mark that put an enormous amount of pressure on the youth of the Holy Cross team. Holy Cross appeared to be very nervous thought out the match and Halifax used their experience gained at the Nationals in the last five years to control most of the match. But with fifteen minutes left Holy Cross coach Jake Stanford brought Jake Warren, Craig Edwards and Bulger off the bench and into the game. With these new additions the tide turned. Cross took control and dominated the remainder of the game. Holy Cross ,scoring sensation, Zack Wade hit for a goal with ten minutes left and brought the game to a 1-1 even draw. This created further momentum and Cross continued to press for victory. In the last couple of moments of the game with the ball deep inside of Nova Scotia's zone, Criag Edwards hit the ball with a blusterous shot that the Nova Scotia goalie saved only by the means of divine intervention. The keeper sprawled him self out in a very unorthodox manner hoping to make a save out of sheer desperation. Yes ! the keeper made the flukiest save of his life and it was this save that knocked Holy Cross out of medal contention at the 2009 National championships.

Gord' Comments: Cross went undefeated in this tournament scoring seven goals while only allowing two against. Holy Cross goalkeeper, Scott Edwards, was awarded the top goalkeeper of the 2009 National Challenge Cup Tournament. Actually, Cross had a remarkable showing despite finishing sixth place after losing on a penalty shoot -out to BC which was played after the completion of the Nova Scotia match. The Holy Cross team and the entire population of Newfoundland and Labrador should be very proud of Cross's record at the 2009 Nationals. This young team are only going to get better and they have a very bright future a head of them.

It was a great effort by Holy Cross !!!

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Challenge Trophy - Senior men

Final Standings

1. Hellas FC, Man.

2. Beauport, Que.

3. Avondale Islanders, P.E.I.

4. Calgary Callies, Alta.

5. West Van, B.C.

6. Holy Cross The Dock, N.L. (1W-3T)

7. Halifax City Coldwell Bankers, N.S.

8. Sktn Huskie United Alumni

9. Yukon Selects, Yukon

10. Real Toronto, Ont.