Hometown crowd cheers Eagles in dramatic championship win

In the photo back from left, are: Matt Carter, Mike Thompson, Bob Morra, Sasha Monhas, Raven Chetwynd, Nolan Rand, Remington Leavitt, Rhys Kelly, Nicholas Morra, Declan Vader, Beth van der Bij, Jess Gibeau. Middle, from left, are: Noah Thompson, Hunter Coombs, Matthew Moore, Silas Carter, Jaxon Whipple, Oliver Jenkins, Noel Valihora. At front is Elliott van der Bij. Absent are Aydin Sencan and Evan Keller.

A loud hometown crowd at Johnson Fields cheered the PECSA Eagles as they captured the 2026 U14 Boys SOSA League championship with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Kingston United.

Trailing by a goal with less than two minutes remaining, Remington Leavitt launched a long throw into the box that found Sasha Minhas, who tied the game. Moments later, Noah Thompson delivered a perfectly placed corner kick to Rhys Kelly, who headed home the championship-winning goal.

Led by coaches Mike Thompson, Beth van der Bij and goalkeeper coach Matt Carter, and supported by team manager Jess Gibeau, the Eagles dominated the season with a perfect 15-0 record against teams from Brockville, Belleville, Kingston and North Leeds.

“I’m most proud of the young leaders these players have become. I’ve watched them work hard, support one another, and continue to compete no matter the challenge. Last night was our biggest challenge yet, and they never gave up. There’s something special about County kids. They bring an extra level of grit, determination and heart to everything they do,” said coach Beth van de Bij.

Leavitt led the league in scoring with 27 goals, while Noel Valihora and Sasha Minhas also finished among the league’s top five scorers. Goalkeeper Elliott van der Bij tied for the league lead in shutouts, and team captain Noah Thompson recorded more than 30 assists. The Eagles were also the only team in the league to have every player register on the scoresheet during the season.

Last season’s last-place finish made this year’s championship all the more remarkable. Returning just seven players and adding 11 players new to rep soccer, the Eagles transformed from a rebuilding team into undefeated league champions.

While the Eagles featured the league’s top scorer, top assist provider and one of its top goalkeepers, their greatest strength was the contribution that came from throughout the lineup, said coach Beth van de Bij, adding every player played a role in the team’s success, helping turn a rebuilding season into a championship campaign.

Coach Mike Thompson pointed to the growth of the team’s newer players as a key factor in the Eagles’ success.

“I’m incredibly proud of the younger players and those who are new to the sport who stepped up to make this team happen. The whole team never stopped trying and that really showed this season,” said coach Thompson.