West Elgin Wildcats, WOSSAA A boys' soccer silver medalists, are, from  left, front, Tyler Girardin, Lucas de Sousa, Jakob Andersen, Evan Mendonca, Shayne De Gaust, Ard Dieker, Tanner Page,   Drake Redmond, Evan Richardson, back - Tyler McEachren, Derke Heard, Dakota Vojin, Justin De Cook, Patrick Acres, Phillip Downie, Caleb McCullough, Nicholas Mendonca, coach Laura McKnight.  Absent from photo is Jack Welch. (photo / courtesy West Elgin Wildcats)

Thursday, May 25, 2017

By Rob J. Ross

EXETER, Ont. - The West Elgin Wildcats are WOSSAA 'A' boys' soccer silver medalists.

Strathroy Holy Cross won the WOSSAA title with a 3-1 win in the gold medal game, earning a berth at OFSAA,  June 1-3, in Windsor.

"WESS played extremely well and despite several shots on net, they couldn't get the ball in the net," Wildcats' coach Laura McKnight said. "Holy Cross recognized early who are the (Wildcats') strongest players and made sure those boys were well-covered."

Tyler Giradin scored for West Elgin.

In the semi-finals, West Elgin edged London Westminster, 3-2, with Tanner Page scoring twice and Evan Mendonca, potting one.

"Patrick Acres and Nicholas Mendonca were outstanding in their defensive positions," McKnight said. "Tanner Page was dominant the entire season as leading goal scorer."

In the Thames Valley Region Athletics SouthEast A final, Page had a hat trick and Jakob Andersen one goal, in the Wildcats' 4-1 win over Dorchester.

McKnight added the senior players, Page, Acres, Evan and Nicholas Mendonca took leadership roles throughout the season, by running practices and organizing positions on the field.

"They are the main reason for the team's success this year."