Goliaths are defending city champs

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East York Collegiate may complain loudly and vociferously about the boys sports soccer schedule.

But there's no doubt it's working for them.

They are, after all, the defending south region and city champs in both senior and junior.

And this season they are both looking formidable again, both undefeated through their first four games, the senior Goliaths outscoring their opponents 21-2 and the junior Goliaths holding a 28-2 edge (although they did have their closest game of the year Tuesday with a 3-2 squeaker over host North Toronto).

Their stiffest south division challenge may very well come from another East York school, as Leaside High School, who were also off to a tremendous, undefeated start with both the senior and junior Lancers sporting 3-0 records, the senior Lancers outscoring their opponents 12-1 and the juniors 14-1.

Unfortunately, the two natural rivals won't meet during the regular season even though they're in the same division just because there are so many teams - 24 teams in senior and 16 teams in junior.

While the upstart Goliaths football program - which stages its annual Friday Night Lights game this Friday, Oct. 10 against Leaside High School - has cornered the publicity in recent years with its Phoenix-like rise from ashes to powerhouse, the Goliaths soccer program has rarely strayed from excellent.

Off the top of his hat, East York Collegiate phys ed head Mike Perovic estimated in the last 20 years the senior Goliaths have probably won 15 or 16 south division titles and six or seven city titles (including last year).

And from the senior Goliaths fast start, it certainly appears they'll be in the running to defend their city title.

"The senior team is basically intact," agreed Perovic.

Furthermore, he added the players feel they have unfinished business at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) provincial championships, which are being hosted by the Toronto District School Board.

The Goliaths had OFSAA medal hopes last season, but injury problems, he said, contributed to a 1-1-1 preliminary round record, which was not quite enough to advance to the playoff round.

"We just need to stay healthy and try again," he said.

The success of the junior team bodes well for the continued strength of the program, he agreed.

"We have 25 (junior) players, good kids, most of them Grade 9 - the school's a soccer haven for a lot of kids."

The school remains unhappy with the south division playing its soccer schedule in the fall when the three other TDSB divisions - the west, north and east play in the spring (when OFSAA is held).

For the south division representatives, it means they have to wait the entire winter and spring to advance to participate in the city playdowns, putting them at a competitive disadvantage.

With the south division out of kilter with the other divisions it means players and coaches have to devote two of the three semesters to soccer instead of just one, thus missing out on the chance to participate in other sports, said Perovic.

Complete schedules, scores and standings available at www.tdsb.on.ca, click on sports, then soccer.