If not Superman, at the least, Gemini Cup B Final penalty-kicks closer

Gemini Sophia Monsere (left) and Ingersoll defender Meleena Prikken (right) both catch a little air after a spirited battle for the ball during Gemini Cup girls soccer action at the Tillsonburg Minor Soccer Park. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Post Correspondent

The way Grade 9 Tillsonburg Gemini centre midfielder Max Suderman explains it, his surname is spelled like Superman but with a ‘D’.

“You’ve got to put that in there,” laughed coach Andrew Sykes following a 3-2 penalty kicks win over the Aylmer East Elgin Eagles in the Gemini Cup soccer tournament’s B Championship game Friday, May 1 at the Tillsonburg Minor Soccer Park. “That’s the kind of confidence he’s exuding right now.”

Superhero may be a stretch, but Suderman did step up as penalty kicks closer, calmly burying the deciding goal into the bottom, left corner.

Both teams had scored on their first shot, the Eagles opening and Tillsonburg’s Jonathyn Hall evening accounts at one. Gemini goalie Waylon Homenuik set up the game-winner with a save on East Elgin’s second shot, perhaps using the formulaic skills he learned from Sykes in math class, to skew the odds in his favour on a stop to his right.

“They always go right,” said Homenuik, “their left, my right. Unless they’re an actual soccer player, you go right.

“I was already in the spot before he kicked the ball.”

Tillsonburg’s Thomas Soares gave the Gemini a 2-1 advantage, evened by the Eagles third shooter, leaving Suderman at the line, game on his foot.

“I was looking at the goalie,” said Suderman. “He went a little right first.”

The Gemini Cup is a 16-team, eight boys and eight girls event, with each team playing three games, progressing based on results. Tillsonburg beat Ingersoll DCI 2-1 in overtime in their first outing, Suderman scoring both in regulation and adding the extra-time golden goal. Suderman also scored the lone Gemini goal in a 3-1 loss to Woodstock CI Red Devils, who advanced to the A championship game. The Red Devils would ultimately lose to London Laurier in penalty kicks there, the Gemini facing East Elgin in the B final.

“Could have been better, but more to come,” said centre back Gavin Balasz. “I think this will make our team better.”

Balasz and Logan Deleye scored for Tillsonburg in a 2-2 draw which lived through two 25-minute regulation halves and five-minutes of OT.

“I think we did a lot better than we were expected to,” said Suderman.

“We’ve improved, that’s pretty much it,” Homenuik summed up. “A few more guys who know the game.”

“A great day of soccer,” added coach Sykes, a compressed three-game outing building both team experience and morale. “Winning on penalties is pretty exciting, a great way to finish off the tournament.”

Sykes also coaches the community’s U14 rep squad, and believes the growth of club soccer in Tillsonburg will positively impact the high school program, moving forward.

“In a couple of years I think Glendale is going to have a team which will be a force in the league.”

Gemini Girls 1, Ingersoll DCI 0

Tillsonburg built both experience and momentum by finishing off their Gemini Cup with a 1-0 victory over the Ingersoll DCI Blue Bombers.

“I feel like it’s team building, sort of,” said Gemini Vivian Suderman.

Kennedy Vandendriessche scored the game’s lone goal, a first-half marker assisted by Kaia Spanjers.

“Crossed it in from the corner and she got the tap-in,” said Spanjers. “I was so glad, somebody had to get it.”

Tillsonburg had opened with a penalty kicks loss to London Beal after goalless regulation and overtime periods, following up with a 5-2 loss to London South, in which Sophia Monsere had both Gemini goals. The experience not only of playing three games in a day, but also against Thames Valley Regional Athletics Tier I opposition offered dual opportunity, said Suderman.

“I think this will help us a lot.”

Co-coach Vanessa Neves said the event also offered the chance to get a lot of players onto the pitch in new positions.

“Some of them surprised us today,” she said.

“I’m really proud of them,” added co-coach Kristin Czerniawski. “They worked really well together, communicated well and held their own, that’s the main thing.”