The Calgary Wild FC began their season with a penalty kick loss to Vancouver Rise FC, so it was only fitting that they ended the season with a penalty kick victory over their first rivals.
Although mathematically the team was unable to clinch a playoff spot for the inaugural Northern Super League playoffs four games ago, the Wild went into their final game of the season with a goal to make the lives of the Rise difficult.
Rising to the occasion, Calgary’s head coach, Lydia Bedford, said that the team (excuse the pun, she said) went wild with the mission handed down by Bedford after the team’s weekend victory against Halifax.
“I’m just over the moon. As a coach, if you don’t make playoffs, I think the next best thing is finishing the season with three out of four games we won, and turning around that form that we had towards the end of August and early September,” said Bedford.
“You always want to challenge the players to be in a better position, give themselves a platform for next year. I love winning games of football. Hate losing them just like everybody else. For the players to do that tonight in the manner they did was just a great way to finish the season.”
She said the possible silver lining of not making the championships was that now she and the rest of the Wild FC team had four months to prepare and make everyone better for the second season.
Bedford said that included training for the near-term international break for the Northern Super League.
The game-winning goal was scored by Kahli Johnson—her first goal since returning to the team after an injury earlier in the season.
“I think coming back from injury, I just really wanted to help the team as much as I could, in any way that I could, and obviously getting in this on the score sheet helps that. So, I was really grateful to get to do that and just really happy to get the win for the team,” she said.
She said the fans for the final match delivered on the energy.
“Our fans have been amazing all season. I think every single week, whenever they show up, it’s such a testament to our home game performances and how much we’re driven by them and just hearing them after we score, have a chance, goal is saved, it just really pumps you up and helps you keep going in the game,” said Johnson.
For her part, Bedford said that she hoped the fans would be a little bit more rowdy for next year.
“But it’s just been brilliant that they turn up game in, game out. I think two weeks ago we had the opportunity to connect on the pitch, and was actually something we would love to do more,” she said.
“I think for me, that was a real reminder of the impact that we’re having that is far bigger than the results. Like now, young girls in Alberta can really dream. When I ask them their age, and they’re like, I’m six. I’m like, great, you’ve got 10 years, and then you might be playing here. I think that’s what we all set out to do at the start of the year.”
