After a frenzied day that began with a frigid morning temperature of minus seven, gusty winds and heavy snowfall the Yukon Selects walked off the pitch last Friday evening in Saskatoon with their best result ever against Team Quebec and a permanent place in the Challenge Trophy history books.

The result, a 4-1 loss to the number two ranked Quebec, betters their previous best finish against the province in 2005 a 5-2 defeat.

The game also saw Team Yukon go into the history books as the first team to ever play a Challenge Trophy game indoors.

With heavy snowfall, freezing conditions and limited visibility all day tournament officials made the decision to move all the Thursday and Friday games indoors to the full field Sasktel Indoor Soccer Complex.

The move looked to play in the favour of the less experienced Yukon squad as the indoor games were also reduced in time from 90 to 60 minutes, meaning more rest time for the already short Yukon bench.

However, the game did not begin well for the Yukon as a mix up in the back between the goalie and defender in the games first two minutes resulted in an easy opening goal for the Quebecers.

Quebec would tally another marker five minutes later to go ahead by two early on.

After displaying some obvious nerves the Yukon side settled down for the remainder of the half before conceding a late goal to make the score 3-0 at the break.

At the half starting goalie Charlie Hoeller was replaced by George Maratos.

The team began the second half looking much more confident and challenging Quebec more aggressively and the effort would pay off for Team Yukon in the game's 40th minutes.

Selects striker Ammon Hoefs  displayed some explosive speed and nifty ball handling and managed to elude the Quebec defenders and put the ball behind the keeper making the score 3-1.

Quebec's relentless attack would continue however as they continued to pressure the Yukon net firing numerous shots wide or at Maratos.

Eventually Quebec would find the back of the net again in the games 52nd minute making good on a nice low crossing play.

Quebec had a chance to go up by four in the game's final minutes after a foul was called on Captain Victor Lavenderos in the penalty box.

Fortunately goaltender Maratos guessed correctly diving to his far right to deflect the penalty shot away.

The Yukon team did not let up and finished the game with a few more offensive chances before the final whistle.

"I was very pleased with that result especially considering the calibre of the Quebec side and the little experience our team has playing at this level,” said Yukon Head Coach Spencer Rich.

"Our plan was to play defensively and stay competitive and aside from a couple of defensive breakdowns I think we did that today.”

Up next for Team Yukon is a match against the number six ranked Team Nova Scotia, the same side they posted a 1-1 draw against in 2005.

That game will also be played indoors.

The games can be followed online at www.csnationals.com

This article was submitted by George Maratos.