Two quick goals gave Langley FC a lead they would not relinquish as they captured the oldest Canadian soccer cup, the Pakenham Cup.
Langley FC, the local Premier men’s soccer team, defeated the Fraser Valley Red Devils 3-1 in some wet and rainy conditions to capture the Cup, the oldest of the soccer cups competed for in Canada.
The game was played March 31.
“Today was a day where we wouldn’t be denied,” said coach Rob Keam.
“I’m very proud of the commitment this team has shown all year in training and games week in and week out.
“This team has exemplified what it takes to play and be a top team at the highest level in the province.”
In the final, the Red Devils struck first.
After Langley FC goalkeeper Ian Poole denied three great scoring chances, he was finally beaten on the fourth try in the 20th minute.
But minutes later, Langley was able to regroup, earning a corner kick, which Tyson Keam executed brilliantly, with Lee Ellis heading home the ball to tie the score.
With the Red Devils stunned by the change in momentum, Langley quickly struck again as Keam played a nice through ball to Shaun Patterson, who went in all alone on the Fraser Valley keeper and slotted the ball home for a 2-1 halftime lead.
The Red Devils came out hard in the second half, but Langley countered with a strong defence and eliminated every opportunity Fraser Valley tried to generate.
Twenty minutes later, Keam set up the team’s third goal, sending a cross to a wide-open James Farenhorst, who made the score 3-1.
The Pakenham Cup is the first for the Langley squad since 2006 and it is the sixth time a Langley team has won the fabled trophy since it was first awarded in 1909.
Langley FC advanced to the Cup final after defeating Peace Arch United in penalty kicks and then upsetting PoCo FC 3-1 in the semifinals on goals from Devon Gilroy, Keam and Farenhorst and the outstanding goaltending of Colton Keam, who made several point-blank breakaway saves and stopped a penalty kick to preserve the victory.
PoCo was the only unbeaten team in the Fraser Valley Soccer League.
The team consists of Colton Keam, Ian Poole, Lee Ellis, Will Folstad, Jason Flint, Sean Patterson, Carlos Del Aguila, Devon Gilroy, Tyson Keam, Jay Newcomb, James Farenhorst, Chris Trauter, Josh Coleman, Mitchell Rohla, Colin Jones and Craig Rohla.
Rob Keam is coach and Mike Wagner is the assistant coach, George Thrower is the manager and Alexi Vass is the trainer.