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One Saturday morning this summer, four Ontario soccer teams squared off for a total of eight games, pitting players dressed in red, navy, orange and black jerseys against one another as they vied for … nothing.

There were no ribbons or trophies because this was a soccer festival — not a tournament — and the emphasis was on fun and skills development, not winning. There were no standings, either, because nobody kept score.

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Supposedly.

“We, as I know it, won the festival,” said John Savoie, who coached his daughter’s Under 8 team in Barrie this past season. “We won each of our games, 4-0 both times, and I know none of the other teams did that well…. The girls were happy, sure. They all love winning.”

It turns out they also have a penchant for score-keeping. During the regular season, which was also officially scoreless, Mr. Savoie said he frequently heard girls calling out on the field, “It’s 1-0! It’s 2-0! We’re winning!”