U15's - Skillz Soccer Bahamas

How Our U15's Became Silver Division Champions

Our U15's came into this tournament hungry for silverware, having been starved of it all season. Coming into the biggest tournament of the year, our U15's looked sharp, bursting out of the gates, only taking 3 minutes to lay their mark on their first opponents Cyclones Hollywood who would go on to be their Final Foe in just a few days time.

Clinical finishes from Dre and Trevon followed by something only Lheerin could produce on a stage like this put Skillz in a comfortable position in their first game, the strike from range making it 3-1 by the half.

Cyclones were not to be pushed over though, their goal making it a tighter affair than the opening stages would have suggested.

Cyclones battled and left Skillz with a few scars, however, a goal from the spot by Tomás made sure that the Skillz boys were not to be beaten, coming out 4-2 winners, making it a perfect start to their tournament and a hint of what was to come that weekend.

The second game proved to be a tough battle on a very tight pitch, the Skillz U15's had to switch it up. Less flair, less silk, more fight, more grit. That was the winning formula for Skillz.

Endless work from both Tomás and Dre showed by they were the pivotal attacking partnership in this tournament. Tomás made everything he could out of a nothing run down the sideline to produce what was needed for Dre to put Skillz 1-0 up in their second game.

Just before the half, Dre continued his fantastic form in front of goal, making it 2-0 and 3 goals for him in just two games. It is a clinical finish only a true striker could have anticipated, putting Skillz into a comfortable lead heading into half-time.

The second half started with much of the same and Charlie got his opportunity to open his account for the tournament, making it 3-0 with a very nice finish in front of goal.

Tropical clawed a goal back from the spot to make it 3-1, but it was to no avail as Skillz made it 2 wins from 2, giving them hope of a final in the coming days.

The third and final group game produced one of the most passionate, exhilarating, chaotic finishes to any game we have seen and it was a testament to the development of these players.

On a day where progression to the final was not secured and the situation was changing on a goal-to-goal basis, the coaches were leaving very little of their nails left on their fingers.

A penalty scored by Miami Athletic Club saw Skillz behind for the first time in this tournament, leaving us all wondering if they could overcome this hill to get to the final.

Skillz played their usual game, going back to what they know, silky, fast, exciting play. They sliced open the defence of Miami Athletic Club several times but to no avail, as the ball just would not go in. At 1-0, Skillz were out and the weekend was coming to a very abrupt ending.

From the sidelines it was close to heartbreak, with minutes left, Charlie had a golden opportunity saved in heroic fashion and there was a sense that this was just not our day. This is not what this group of boys is about, though, just as people began to doubt it could be done, Charlie buried a peach of a shot at the backpost, and with that, a roar erupted, there was a sense of belief among coaches, players and the supporters. However, our progression into the final was not yet confirmed.

In the second following the equaliser, the coaches scrambled through their phones. Whispers of "Is this enough?" were heard by a few on the Skillz bench. Before that question could get answered we all witnessed something that people wait a lifetime to experience. A captain, a leader, a kid making his name heard on his biggest stage yet. While others were celebrating, Lheerin was plotting.

The game had kicked off, a long ball without much conviction was hit, but there was one player who was detirmed to bring his players further than they had gone before. In a moment of pure skill, Lheerin plucks a ball out of the sky, in the same motion, ball rolls the goalkeeper and with one last touch, produces one of the most incredible scenes you will see in football. Coaches on the pitch, down the touchlines, parents in pure elation, players everywhere, celebrations that will last a lifetime. In one motion, Lheerin had created pandemonium among his Skillz family.

This goal created certainty; the U15's were about to compete in their first-ever silver final, and what a tournament to do it at.

The stage was set, Autonation Field, 10.30 am Kick Off. Having already overcome Cyclones in their first game, Skillz knew that they were about to face a different challenge in the final, a team filled with hunger, a hunger to avenge their loss on their home turf. Skillz U15's were ready to play their biggest game yet.

The game was a scrappy affair with both teams playing like it was a final, neither wanted to give anything away, and neither team wanted to give away the first chance, the first goal.

Although not many chances were created, it is fair to say that Cyclones had the better of the early opportunities and this became the story of the game. With the sides tied 0-0 at halftime, there was a question of whether this was one step too far.

As the second half had begun, Dre had come off with an injury, limiting our options up front, and it will be of no surprise to you that there were leaders in this side who stepped up and kept Skillz alive in this final.

Lheerin, Alejandro, Juan and Jaiden spring to mind when you think of that second half, it wasn't pretty but they were there, every tackle, every save, every 50/50 that needed to be made, was made. It kept Skillz in the final, and boy did they make it count.

A late chance fell to Alejandro as he rifled a header from inside the box straight towards the Cyclone's net, despite climbing above everyone in his way, he could not find his way past the post, and we found ourselves in a Penalty Shootout.

Some say it is the worst way to lose a game of football, some say it's a cruel way for a game to be decided. This may be true, but it is a situation that the U15's had prepared for. Coach Rory had anticipated the eventuality that this would happen. His efforts did not go unnoticed as the first Skillz Player stepped up.

For every penalty that Cyclones took, they were met with a confident and intimidating goalkeeper in Jaiden, who played his part in what has gone down as Skillz History. The most impressive spectacle was how composed the Skillz players were, every penalty precisely placed, displaying no hesitance in what they had stepped up to do.

The first 5 penalties are scored for both teams, it goes to sudden death, Jaiden is as big and loud as anyone has seen him, and this played its part as the Cyclones player pulls his penalty. Skillz have one hand on the trophy. If you could have handpicked the player for this moment, we all would have picked one player. A captain, a leader, someone who thrives under the pressure, who hadn't withered but blossomed in his role. It was Lheerin to step up. Without hesitation, without a single concern for the gravity of the moment he is in, he slides the ball confidently into the net, making him and his team CHAMPIONS!!!!