The Jr. Boys Arctic Winer Games team squared off against the Yukon Selects on Sunday afternoon at the Canada Games Centre in a test of tenacity and focus.

With the young athletes vying for the final roster spots on the squad, the Jr. Boys battled hard against a more mature and more experienced team.

As the teams came onto the field for their pre-game warm-ups the contrast in age and experience was quickly apparent.

The Selects ran through their pre-game drills with intense focus while the Jr. Boys glanced over their shoulders and wondered out loud about the skill of their competition.

"This is going to be tough,” said one player as he peered at the competition.

The Selects would ultimately prevail 9-0 but the score was not reflective of the intensity and closeness of the match.

"It was a really tight game, I don't think the score really shows how we played,” said Jr. Boys fullback, Mike Amirault.

"They have the experience and just came out on top.”

Derric Lewis, head coach of the Jr. Boys said the game was about gaining experience playing against mature and skilled competition.

"We know that teams from other contingents are going to be coming into the Games at a really high level so this is a stepping stone,” he said.

With the final roster still being ironed out, the Jr. Boys saw the game as a last chance to show their skill.

"This was the ultimate game against the Selects, they are the top team in the Yukon,” said Marten Sealy who saw both sides of the ball, starting the game as a striker and playing the second half in goal.

"It's a game to show what you can do.”

The Selects started the game focused and aggressive, while the Jr. Boys struggled to get into rhythm and calm their nerves.

"We're trying to get the boys prepared to play mentally,” said Lewis.

"From the start of the game we saw how the Selects, because they're older and more mature players, their movement off the ball and their focus during the game is something we want to attain.”

It took the Selects just under five minutes to find the back of the net, burying a low cross into the right corner of the goal.

The early score seemed to stir the Jr. Boys and their intensity picked up in the minutes following.

With an improved offensive focus the Jr. Boys attacked the Selects but were unable to score, despite some close opportunities.

"The kids had so many chances but some bad luck,” said Victor Lavanderos, head coach of the Selects.

"I think they did very well. I was surprised with all the talent they have.”

The post was not kind to the Jr. Boys as several chances fell inches short of being goals and ricocheted off the boards.

The momentum continued to build in the Selects favour and they ended the first half leading 4-0.

The Jr. Boys spent the halftime break catching their breath and listening to Lewis as he offered guidance and instruction.

Five minutes into the second half the Selects got their fifth goal, as the ball barely snuck by the outstretched hands of Sealy and trickled into the back of the net.

In the final ten minutes of the game the Jr. Boys found their best rhythm of the match and maintained the majority of the possession but were unable to come away with a goal.

Their communication and focus were visibly improved as they connected on more passes and made better decisions with the ball.

"Momentum in sports is a phenomenal thing,” said Lewis.

"You look at one team and they're smiling and laughing because they've got the goals and the other team is really pushing hard and working hard but not getting the results.

"The boys tried hard. Yukon players as a whole, they have a reputation that they always play hard, they never stop playing and they're true grit players.

"They play and play and they don't give up, so I can't fault them today.”