Barry Wright
Denver Spearman is basking in the glory of a national championship.
The 22-year-old St. Clair Secondary graduate was part of the London-Marconi side that won the Canadian Club Soccer Championship last month in the GTA.
The game was scoreless through regulation and extra time before Marconi beat Calgary Caledonians on penalty kicks, 4-2, to claim the national Challenge Cup.
The Callies, as they are known, are seven-time Canadian champions.
“They were a lot bigger and physical,” said Spearman. “It was a battle.”
The title game was a back and forth encounter with both teams having chances to win in regulation time, including an unsuccessful penalty kick by London in the second half of overtime. It finally came down to the shootout to decide who would take home the trophy.
Spearman was the next shooter scheduled in penalty kicks when Calgary missed, giving London its first-ever championship.
He and his mates received gold medals for their victory and Spearman was given a medallion for being named Man of the Match.
He said the national trophy will be on hand at London's Marconi Club on Nov. 15.
Moving forward, Spearman has the option of returning to Marconi next season, going back to college or looking into a professional career.
He played three seasons of NCAA soccer with Buffalo, New York-based Canisius College from 2011-13 and has two years of eligibility remaining.
“I'm definitely not done, because I still love the game so much,” he said.