Stettler Minor Soccer was shining at the annual Camrose Night Classic tournament over the weekend with all the teams taking part having a shot at the medals, but it was the youngest of the bunch that hoisted the flag highest: U12 boys won the gold bringing pride to the town.
The boys were defeated Vermilion 3-0, Athabasca 2-1 and Camrose 6-0 to reach the gold medal game where they overpowered Whitecourt easily with a score of 3-1.
"This group of boys is bonding together to play as a team," said coach Steven Wildeboer of U12 boys.
He said the boys' teamwork was the envy of many of the coaches the played against, "even some of the refs have stated that."
" The boys have been working on skill development and teamwork, this shone through this past weekend. I give the boys all the credit for the team success, they deserve it," the coach concluded.
U12 girls lost their bronze medal bid when they lost to Athabasca 1-0 in their last game, but to reach the semi finals they beat St Paul 2-1 and drew with Athabasca 1-1.
U14 boys grabbed their bronze medals when they defeated Edson 1-0 in their final game after beating Hinton 2-1, tying with Vermilion 0-0 and losing to Camrose 3-1.
U14 girls were not lucky with three straight losses 4-0 to Edson, 2-0 to Athabasca and 3-0 to Lac la Biche.
U-16 boys narrowly missed the chance to play for the gold medal when they lost the penalty shoot-out with St Paul but defeated Peacxe River to claim the bronze. Earlier they defeated Toefield 5-0 and Ft. Saskatchewan 3-2 but lost to Hinton 1-0.
U16 girls for their part drew 0-0 with both Vermilion and Hinton and lost 8-0 Edson, losing their chance to contest a medal game.
U18 girls had a 1-1-1 record at the tournament, defeating St Paul 2-1, drawing goalless with Wetaskiwin and losing 8-0 Carstairs.