There is a lot to be proud of when it comes to the U17 Morden Eagles soccer team, and from wins, to laughs, to memories, it all led to a championship run that they wont ever forget.
"It feels pretty good," star player Kapri Curry says with a smile about being a champion. "We definitely are pretty excited."
Looking back over the season, Curry says there was a special feeling right away. "Our season pretty much goes all year round, so we all get together as much as possible, when we're not busy with other things. We do a winter program, but we get pretty excited when the spring season starts. With the whole year of training, we all become very close together, no matter where we are from."
Heading into this year, Curry says they brought in a few new players that fit in right away. "We actually had quite a few new players join us this year, but still from the same area. Some might have played together in high school, but there's still new connections being made."
Curry loves the game of soccer, and to see more young girls staying in soccer longer, eventually getting to the U17 level. "It makes me really happy. I know that a while ago, the only way I could play soccer was with boys, which is still of course good, and it's good to have opportunities, but it's great to have a strong, competitive league just with girls, so we can all get better, too."
This season, there were a number of highlights for the U17 Eagles, as Curry details. "We had a few exhibition games with Brandon University, that was good. We got to experience new, tougher competition. We won the Boston Pizza Tournament, it was very good, also. We played teams from all three age divisions, so again, we got some good competition there. Of course, our playoff games where we won the championship."
Being such a close group, Curry really cherished the celebration after claiming the league title. "We were all so excited, we just cheered each other on. That last game was pretty tough, it was pretty close, but we pulled through, so it was pretty exciting."
It wasn't just the competition on the field that presented the group challenges, there were numerous times that they had been ready for games, only for the opposition to forfeit. "It was difficult," Curry says with a polite, yet frustrated tone. "We did our best to keep practicing, and when we did get a chance to play a game, we brought a good spirit, and worked hard. We played like we used to. We never let it get in our head, and didn't get too annoyed with it, because we're happy to play when we can."
Coming up through the years, Curry has nothing but great things to say about the Eagles programs. "I appreciate it so much. I think it's a great way to connect, I've made so many friends that way, the coaches are all good, and we all know each other. We have fun at practices, but still productive, and get better every day. It's a great way to get better at soccer and make new friends. I'm glad to see we have a U14 team now, which is new this year. That's even better, because we can start younger, but still play with girls the same age."
When it comes to sharing advice for the up and coming soccer players in the Pembina Valley, Curry has a simple message. "Just keep trying hard at practices, you will get better. Always push your hardest, even when you're tired, even when your coach is annoying, or you don't want to run. You can always get better, so don't give up."
As for what comes next, Curry has no plans of slowing down. "I have a few more years of high school, so I'm hoping to keep playing on the high school team, and on the Eagles. Depending on which league we're in with the Eagles, I'm hoping to do that. Then in the future, I'd like to play at some university level, so I can keep playing soccer."
The future remains very bright for the Morden Eagles programs, as well as for players like Kapri Curry.