The Mountain Whitecaps Football Club (WFC) continues to bolster its roster and benefit from Coast soccer players.
By Ian Jacques/Editor Reporter
Julian Cantarutti and Skyler Lagace, both 16, are headed to Florida later this month to compete with their WFC U16 boys’ team at the Super Y-League North American finals.
The talented team competed in the Pacific Northwest division against five teams and ended in first place with a record of 7-1-2. The team scored a total of 31 goals and allowed only 11 against. The goal difference of 20 is 15 more than the next best of five. After a successful season, the team is looking forward to a very competitive final.
Mountain WFC, one of three Whitecaps Super Y-League Affiliates, covers districts and clubs in Burnaby, Coquitlam, Vancouver, North Vancouver and West Vancouver.
This season Mountain WFC competed in the Super Y-League Northwest division against teams from Coastal, Surrey, Abbotsford, Okanagan and Victoria, along with American opposition from Seattle, Spokane and Yakima.
The boys were selected to the squad after tryouts in March and played throughout the regular season that started in April and concluded in August. Julian, playing right back, and Skyler in goal were not starting players on the team, but both said they relished the opportunity to play for such a high-calibre team and a quality, professional organization like the Vancouver Whitecaps.
“I liked the high pace and the competition,” said Julian, who now lives in North Vancouver where he attends Handsworth Secondary School playing on the Royals men’s soccer team.
“It was fun to travel and play against such great competition,” added Skyler who attends Elphinstone Secondary School in Gibsons. Both boys are excited about the trip to Florida and are hopeful the team can be successful.
“It’s the highest calibre of soccer that both of us have ever played,” said Julian. “Our coaching has been fantastic. There are a lot of good players in the program and the team has played well all year. Hopefully we can finish the season off right in Florida.”
Besides the WFC team, both players also play for the Metro League North Shore Selects. The Selects got off to a slow start this season, but have now found their groove and are starting to play much better, evidenced by their 4-0 win last Saturday.
“That’s also a fun team to play on. We both get lots of playing time on that team,” added Skyler.
