WORST to first is an inspirational phrase in sports.
With its implication that any team can turn things around in the space of one season, the phrase often conjures thoughts of miraculous team transformations, newly acquired superstars or inexplicable changes in fortune and luck.
Sometimes, however, the explanation is much simpler than that, particularly at the high school level. Sometimes a young team just becomes an old one and losses become wins.
That's how Mike Riml, manager of the Argyle senior boys soccer team, sees his squad's 2011 season. Last year the Pipers recorded just two wins in 12 games, finishing last in the North Shore AAA league. One year later the team leap-frogged the league, jumping all the way to first while capping their campaign by earning a berth in the provincial championships before knocking off Seycove 2-0 Wednesday night to claim the North Shore banner.
"There were a lot of Grade 11s on the team last year," Riml told the North Shore News after the Pipers' win in the North Shore championship game. "They've grown and improved together over two years of playing."
Simple, but effective. Argyle ended up on top this year but it was a fight all the way. Sentinel, Sutherland and West Van all finished within three points of the Pipers during the regular season.
"It was close, but I still think the best team won," said Riml. The Pipers went on to blast Burnaby South, champions of the Burnaby/ New West zone, by a score of 5-0 to book their ticket to the provincial championships. Grade 11 midfielder Kyle Nichol set the Pipers on the path to victory against Burnaby South by scoring the first two goals of the game. West Van secondary had a chance to follow Argyle into the provincial championship but fell 3-0 to Burnaby South in a winner-take-all playoff game.
Argyle finished their North Shore campaign with their win over Seycove Wednesday in cold, wet, windy conditions.
"It was pretty gross," said Riml, adding that both teams put in great efforts despite the challenging conditions. The win gave Argyle their first North Shore championship since 2007.
In addition to his team being a little older and a little wiser - Argyle's roster is made up of 16 Grade 12s and only four Grade 11s this year - Riml also credited head coach Steve Nicol and assistant Patris Aghakian with a mid-season lineup swap that gave the Pipers more of an offensive presence. To generate more offence, Grade 12 defender Alex Kelly was moved up to striker to play alongside Nick Aghakian.
"They were two of the strong points for our attack," said Riml. "Having Alex Kelly as a big boy up front created a lot of pressure on (opposing defences)."
Grade 11 standouts Nichol and Cole Frizell patrolled the midfield while centre backs McKenzie Nicol and Zaahid Lalani anchored a strong defence in front of talented pair of Ryans sharing goalkeeping duties: Ryan Allen and Ryan Malog. Riml said he likes the way the team looks heading into the provincial championships scheduled for Nov. 24-26 at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex.
"The chemistry is really clicking right now," said Riml. "It's all coming together at the right time."
