The perfect Storm is brewing again this season, sports fans – just like last year – and we’re fortunate to see and feel it here on our quiet coast. Pull up a lawn chair – this one was awesome to watch.
The girls U14 Sunshine Coast Storm soccer team fought hard this past weekend on the grass at Brothers field in Gibsons against the Surrey/Delta Lightning team. Storm versus Lightning, it was on.
The start of the game scared the gumboots off us all as the Lightning scored one within the first five minutes of the game. An early blow to be sure, but this is not the Storm of days gone by. Tenacity and hard work have become commonplace with these girls and this was another example of how they are not backing down from any team. The speed of the Storm and the passing plays really made pathways down the field into shooting range, and shots were fired on net with punishing regularity.
With defensive manoeuvres like a solid wall from the Storm, the Lightning had a hard time making it anywhere near the net. A few close calls to be sure, but another goal would not happen for the opponents. On the other hand, with a much better coordinated passing game and some brilliant sprints from the Storm, they peppered the net with a fantastic meteor shower of power shots, the first from Koenn Sauer dazzling the fans with her unmistakable arcing brilliance to tie the game.
With the final score of 2-1 for the win, the Storm were in the same position they were in last year. Undefeated, hungry for more, fans perched on the edge of their chairs and coaches were smiling like Cheshire cats who know a secret.
If the energetic play from the entire team and good communication continues, and if the use of space improves on the field, all I can say is find out where they are playing, and go see this wild pack of talent for yourselves.
