To round out a successful season for Humboldt Collegiate Institute's (HCI) senior boys' soccer team, the boys earned a spot at the 2012 SHSAA 2A Provincial Championships. On October 19 and 20, the Mohawks tasted victory when they won both their games in the SHSAA 2A Regional Boys' Soccer Championship games, advancing to Provincials as the number 1 seeded team in the region. "This team has come a long way in one year," said Brent Loehr, who has just completed his first season as head coach of the boys' program. "Last year they were 7 vs 7 and had trouble getting guys to show up for practice. Now we have a full roster and the group is dedicated and committed."When asked what he thought had been instrumental in turning the team around this year, Loehr put it down to good skill development. "The players coming into our HCI soccer program are very talented right from the start," he said. "This allows for time to focus on gelling a group of Grade 9 to 12 athletes right away. With such a short season, getting your team to work together immediately is a key factor in success."However, the team was up against some stiffer competition at the Provincial tournament hosted by Warman on October 26 and 27. Both games the team played were close, and it wasn't for lack of trying that the Mohawks came away from the tournament empty-handed.In their first game on Friday, HCI Mohawks gave Saskatoon Aden Bowman a good run for their money, taking the game into overtime before losing 1-0. In their second game against Yorkton, HCI wasn't far behind, losing 3-2. "I am proud of this team," Loehr said. "We made it to provincials and competed with the bigger cities. You have to win game one at provincials if you want any chance of getting a medal. We lost in overtime in a heartbreaker to Aden Bowman. The boys will be stronger next year knowing they can compete at that level. We had a very successful season."Loehr says he and the rest of the boys will miss having Josh Ewen on the team. Ewen is the only team member who will be graduating this year. Loehr also said he regrets that former assistant coach Carlos Correa is no longer able to work with them."Carlos Correa had planned to be more involved with the team, but a work move (took) him back to North Battleford," he said. "He is very technically sound, and it's too bad he won't be around anymore".However, Loehr is optimistic about next year's prospects. "We only lost a few games all season," he remarked. "With only one player leaving due to graduation, this team has future potential."
