The tail-end of the 2024 outdoor soccer season has been a productive one for the GSSC (Greater Sudbury Soccer Club) U16 Impact Boys, returning home with the championship banner from the Richmond Hill Challenge Cup earlier this month.

The northern lads defeated both the Guelph Gryphons (3-0) and Newmarket (3-1) before playing to a 1-1 draw with the host Richmond Hill Raiders.

Overcoming a horrible start in the semis - Sudbury was down 1-0 less than one minute in - the Impact secured a 2-1 lead before being forced to penalty kicks as the North Toronto Nitros drew even at 2-2.

The PK drama was over in the minimum of six total shooters as the nickel city reps buried three straight shots while Sudbury keeper Juan Caldaron stopped the first two attempts from the Nitros before watching a third shot sail wide.

Caldaron was once again in the limelight in the final as a rematch with Richmond Hill mirrored their first encounter, with both teams scoring once each in regulation time.

Nerves appeared prevalent in the shootout as the Impact scored on just two of their five attempts, forcing Caldaron to pull a jaw-dropping stop out of his hat to force a sixth shooter on each side, as Sudbury earned the 1-1 (3-2) triumph.

GSSC U16 tournament participants were: Caleb Pearson, Juan Caldaron, David Akero, Emmanuel Boamah, Colton Cooke, Mauro Cusinato, Alessandro Moretta, Matias Gonzales, Tyler Granthien, Lukas Morin, Mishal Olanrewaju, Joshua Rioux, Masimo Toffoli and Moyo Olusola-Kuteyi.

A few weeks earlier, the Impact kept themselves in the thick of the race of the top three teams in Toronto Soccer League play thanks to a hard fought 2-1 win over Toronto Cherry Beach Black Wolves.

The locals jumped out to a 2-0 lead as Mishal Olanrewaju headed home a splendid corner from Josh Rioux with Moyo Olusola-Kuteyi doubling the margin with a precision strike of his own.

Midfielders Mauro Cusinato and Masimo Toffoli locked down the center of the pitch, limiting the opportunities for the Black Wolves all while Alfarouq Alzawi and Tyler Granthien tightened things up on the back line, the team earning a well-deserved 2-1 result.

The U16 boys will close out their summer campaign Sunday with one final trek to the GTA, battling Vaughan SC at the McNaughton Turf in Maple.