Albion SC 2013/14 boys win Glacier Premier Cup
The Albion SC Idaho 2013/14 boys team poses for a photo with their coaches and their biggest fans, their siblings, after winning the Glacier Premier Cup held in Whitefish, Mont. this past weekend.
Photo by Amber Brown
Information provided by Lawson Tate, Director of Albion Academy Soccer
WHITEFISH — Five players playing up an age group? No problem. Sandpoint’s Albion SC Idaho 2013/14 boys soccer team — despite playing up an age bracket — earned gold last weekend at the Glacier Premier Cup held in Whitefish, Mont.
Albion SC coaches said they were surprised with the results, but not with the character and class their team embodied.
In the championship match, Mason Donenfeld put up a first-half hat trick to lead Albion over Timber-Thorns North FC Black, 4-0.
“Mason has embraced our program and his daily ball skills homework paid dividends,” coach Jennings Waterhouse said. “He scored three beautiful and composed goals.”
Albion won three other games in order to get to the championship game held Sunday. The team defeated Timber-Thorns North FC Black 7-0, Timber-Thorns North FC White, 5-1, and Helena Youth Soccer Gray, 7-0.
10-year-old team leaders Felix Carlson, Greyson Reid, and Raleigh Brown stifled the opponents’ attack, with Albion’s only conceded goal coming from a penalty kick. Goalkeeper Trey Tortorelli also played a big role, securing the defense and switching the point of attack.
On the offensive side of the ball, Griffin Asquith also had a big-time weekend performance for Albion.
“A big congratulations to Griffin (Asquith) for trusting in our process and patiently finding [one on ones],” coach Eric Donenfeld said. “He scored five goals, and also had a hat trick on the weekend.”
Also playing well at midfield throughout the tournament were Chris Medrano, Keldon Ridley, Avery McCoy-Bonner and Garrison Markwardt. Albion SC coaches said they demonstrated unparalleled speed and played with high intensity, all the while elevating their possession game.
Overall, coaches said the most versatile player over the weekend was Jacob Moren, who found time at nearly every position. Midfielder Desi Owens was also praised by Albion coaches for his play, logging many miles for the team while braving the stormy conditions.
“There is strong gravity in youth sports to run up the score, yet these young men dedicated the second halves of our matches to working on our weaknesses, respecting the game, the officials, and our opponents,” coach Mike Asquith said.
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