Score quickly. Score often. Hold on.

The formula is hardly foolproof, however, at the dawn of another Bow Valley Soccer League season, it’s usually enough.

An early three-goal outburst was all Canmore United needed to hang on to a 3-0 decision over Earl’s Sunday (July 8) at the Banff Rec Grounds.

Andre Babineau scored the first marker, squeezing a shot past the inside post with a well-placed left foot bullet. Eighteen-year-old sensation Jihu Chun then capitalized on a string of defensive miscues, stealing the ball from the Earl’s tender to fire an easy goal into the gaping net.

Chun was the key to the third goal, sucking in an Earl’s defender just outside of the box. Striker Lawrence White peeled right and Chun hit him with a perfect pass. The Earls goaltender leaned left, White shot right and the game was essentially over.

By the second half, the tired legs and sweltering heat took over, as the players’ form suffered. Earls earned the territorial advantage, showing the strength of their bench, but scoring chances were few and far between.

White, one of the Canmore captains, said heat and rust were big factors in their second game of the season.

“We wanted to keep pushing in the second, but I don’t think the legs were there. We were lucky to score three goals early and that was enough for the win.”

Missed touches and bobbled attacks are expected, White said, as off-season cobwebs are still visible.

He praised the work of two of the team’s new additions, particularly Chun. The young forward was a force for the Canmore Collegiate High School boy’s team last season, and appears even stronger now in matching up against grown men.

“He has great confidence with the ball. He’s not afraid to run at guys, and that’s what he does best: he sucks them in,” White said.

The BVSL will send teams to the tournament in Kimberly on July 21-22. White said Canmore United will be split into an open and Over 35 team.

This year, only five teams are registered for the BVSL, however, many players plan to put greater emphasis on tournament play. The teams often play tournaments in Kimberly, Cochrane and Montana.

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