While still awaiting their first goal celebration, the Yukon Strikers have logged some impressive efforts at nationals this week.

The territory has two U14 teams toiling at the national club soccer championships in St. John’s, N.L., and a U16 girls club in Surrey, B.C. Each team dropped its first two contests.

The U14 boys squad has been particularly impressive in St. John’s, holding Alberta to just four goals in a 4-0 loss Wednesday.

Then yesterday, the team nearly kept the host team off the board until a late goal gave Newfoundland a 1-0 win.

Coach Jake Hanson said the late goal came on a set play after a Newfoundland corner – squashing a chance at Yukon history.

No team has yet to advance to the quarter-finals at nationals, he noted.

The team was a “little disappointed” after the 1-0 loss, Hanson said.

“Our boys have been very strong – certainly undersized – but they played really well with Alberta yesterday,” he added.

The team, which includes underage members of the Yukon Junior Selects, kept pace with Alberta through the first half, finishing tied 0-0.

They did concede four in the second half, but rebounded to play a thriller against the hosts yesterday.

Hanson’s son, Joe, celebrated his 12th birthday yesterday. He is the team’s youngest player.

Meanwhile, the U14 girls team lost its first game 11-0 to Quebec on Wednesday, then dropped their second 7-0 to Manitoba yesterday.

In Surrey, the U16 girls lost their first game 8-0 to Alberta on Wednesday, before conceding to Newfoundland and Labrador 4-0 yesterday.

The Canadian Soccer Association Sport Chek National Club Championships is one of Canada’s largest national amateur competition to take place across the country in various age categories and showcases the nation’s best soccer clubs in a series of week-long tournaments.

Competition is also occurring in Charlottetown and Calgary. Finals will take place Oct. 12.

Canada Soccer has been running this annual competition since 1913.

This year, 86 teams are competing in four separate locations across the country, with a total of 1,540 players active over the week.

“The national championships are an exciting opportunity for all involved to experience competing on the national stage while testing themselves on and off the field through fair play, integrity and sportsmanship,” Canada Soccer president Victor Montagliani said in a press release.

“We encourage all participants to take advantage of this occasion and represent their province and team to the best of their ability, enjoy their time on the pitch and explore their host region.”