The Central Cyclones wanted little to do with taking the easy way into the Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association 4A boys provincial soccer championship.
As the tournament hosts, the Cyclones could have taken the simple road and just gone through the motions at the Region B qualifier in Regina, but instead gained even more momentum than they previously had with a solid showing in both games Saturday.
Central took a 4-1 victory over Regina Johnson to open regionals before rolling to a 4-0 win over Yorkton Sacred Heart in the semifinal game.
Yorkton had defeated Regina Luther 6-1 and Regina Laval 2-1 to reach the final, and with Central receiving a provincial berth as hosts, automatically advanced to next weekend’s tournament with their semifinal win.
The provincial championship runs Oct. 28-29 at the Canada Games fields next to YaraCentre.
The news wasn’t as good for Moose Jaw’s two competitors in the 4A girls regional play-in games.
The two-time defending provincial champion Vanier Spirits saw their reign come to an end with a tough 2-1 loss to Regina Luther in Regina, while the Central Cyclones dropped a 5-0 decision to Yorkton Sacred Heart in Yorkton.
The Moose Jaw league champion Swift Current Ardens took a 2-0 win over Yorkton Regional to win their 5A girls regional title and advance to provincials during the Oct. 28 weekend in Regina.
For more on provincials, including tournament draws early next week, visit www.shsaa.ca.
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