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Tony’s Pizza won a thrilling match against Yukon Brewing 4-2 to lift the over 35’s playoff trophy for the first time at the Canada Games Centre.

Jan Aalt van den Hoorn, who has been sidelined with injury since Christmas, scored two goals. The first was a great individual effort, weaving between the Brew defenders to open the scoring.

Then, who else but Eric Murphy, grabbed the second with an assist from Keith Maguire.

All was not lost for the Brew when skipper Jim Connell rounded the keeper to pull one back, and when muscular Pat Shaw levelled the scoring with another opportunist strike the outcome of the game was in the lap of the gods.

Well the over 35’s had their own demi-god in Eric Murphy, who with a hatful of goals already this season, struck the decisive blow, then as Van den Hoorn scored on an empty net the Tony’s celebrations started on a well -deserved win.

MacPhail the missing link

Klondike Business Solutions took the bronze medal match against Pepsi 5-3 to wind up the season with a win, but it could have been different if John MacPhail had been available for the last couple of months.

Looking like an older Ronaldo, he covered every square metre of the pitch and gave KBS an added menace going forward.

The Blue boys were thankful that Larry White found his scoring boots as he added two goals, as did Andy Todd with the best-dressed man in Whitehorse, Bruno Bourdache, grabbing the other.

Phil Jackson (2) and Jürgen Korn got the goals for Pepsi.

A big thanks to President Ken Sylvestre for organizing the league with his many hours of unseen work to make the Whitehorse Rapids a very successful and fun organization to be involved in.

The over 35’s soccer report is prepared by Andy Todd.

Season awards

League winner – Yukon Brewing
Playoff winner – Tony’s Pizza
Golden Boot winner – Eric Murphy
MVP – Keith Maguire
Best Keeper – George Maratos
Spirit Award – Gord Barker