Throughout a summer to remember, one which would see the GSSC (Greater Sudbury Soccer Club) Impact U13 Boys post a 16-0-0 record in HDSL (Huronia District Soccer League) play, outscoring their opponents 96-4, team and coaches alike knew that they were nowhere close to going toe to toe with the best in their age group in the province.

Thankfully, their recent performance at the Ontario Indoor Cup 2023 suggests that a) for the most part, this team can compete with a whole lot of very good teams in Ontario and b) at the very top of the pyramid sit some kids who are awfully darn special, kids who provide a wonderful barometer for a group of local lads fueled by long-term soccer dreams.

“I would rather lose 1-0 or 2-0 than win 12-0,” suggested multi-sport athlete Nick Alexander as the Impact U14 boys advanced to the semi-final of the eight team event before falling to the defending summer Ontario Cup champs: London Alliance FC Mustangs. “The loss gives more for your team; it’s better for you.”

That is exactly the mindset that head coach Mario Ceccon and company are trying to foster as their group works their way through into the high-school ranks next fall. “I wanted to give these kids this experience,” he said, heading to Vaughan with a team of 13 players, all of whom were part of their 2022 summer team, although that does not represent their entire roster.

“I think they benefit from playing these very competitive teams,” added Ceccon. “That’s the only way we can grow as a team.”

For the record, the Sudbury reps dropped a 7-1 decision to Brampton Elite, displaying definite opening game nerves and dealing with a pair of keepers knocked out of their lineup, rebounded to beat both West Toronto United (3-2) and Ajax SC (3-0) before being overwhelmed by London, 11-0.

Just 13 years of age, Alexander was displaying the perspective of a seasoned soccer veteran as he assessed that last outing. “London won both the Outdoor Cup and the Indoor Cup and I would classify them as the best team in Ontario,” stated the grade 8 student at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary.

“They have some high level players. It was crazy seeing them pass the ball.”

Teammate Connor Nicholson, who has decided to forego an emphasis on competitive hockey in the winter in favour of a year-round devotion to soccer could also appreciate a situation where it might be appropriate to tip your hat to your opponents.

“We tried really hard to get to the finals but we couldn’t squeeze through,” said the young man who has recently added a membership at Goodlife to his training regimen, now on the treadmill several times a week. “Their (London’s) endurance was incredible. They would run everywhere and never stop.”

And it wasn’t as though the tournament was without challenges for the local crew.

“We went in knowing that it would be tough,” said Ceccon. “Within the first ten minutes, we lost our goalie (injury). A couple of players stepped up - I was quite happy with that.”

The resilience of his team was not about to go unnoticed.

“After the first game, they could have gotten down on themselves,” added their coach. “This team is not used to losing. It was nice to see them work together; they never gave up.”

And there is the fact that victories over a pair of GTA opponents is certainly nothing to sneeze at.

“Going into that tournament, I think people underestimated us,” said Alexander. “We were just a team from northern Ontario that doesn’t have the same training, the same facilities as the other teams in Ontario. I think we showed some of the kids from down south that you shouldn’t underestimate us.”

In the long run, Ceccon is more than comfortable adding this most recent obstacle to the pathway he would like his boys to navigate. “I think a number of these kids have the ability (to play post-secondary soccer) - as long as they stick to it,” he stressed. “It’s difficult to get there if you don’t have the competition.”

Fair enough - even if it’s also difficult trying to work your way through better competition. When all is said and done, players and coaches alike recognize that better competition is for the best.

Rounding out the Impact U14 boys roster that competed at Ontario Indoor Cup 2023 are Asher Stevenson, Harry Yeamans, Constantinos Urso, Matteo Ceccon, Joshua Rioux, Landen Lake, Josh Reich, Alex Campbell, Domingo Quintana, Roman Mamonov and Frank Nzotungwanima.