Outstanding play and teamwork all worked in team SEMIC's favour in a second-place finish at the 32nd annual sport and recreation soccer tournament in Kelowna.
The tournament, held during the May long weekend, brought together teams from across the province, including SEMIC, a collection of talented players from the Sunshine Coast women's soccer league.
Despite soaring interior temperatures, SEMIC battled hard in every match in the recreation competitive division. The Vancouver Thun-derbirds proved to be an exciting match that went into overtime and shootout in game one. Strengths on the backline came from Janice Hendrickson and Tara Sullivan's wide back position due to their ability to get up and down the flank. Stellar goaltending from Rinette Lagace and the five sharp shooters, Andrea Aleong, Ellen Thomas, Jenna Crozier, Kara McDonnell and Sara Schutz, gave SEMIC their first win.
Later in the day saw SEMIC dominate possession throughout a match against a young Calgary team. Amy Campbell's and Laura Dixon's strong work ethics kept Calgary at bay. Despite constant shots by the forwards and midfielders, SEMIC could not connect with a goal. It was déjà vu in yet another game that went into a shootout. Again, cool experience prevailed from the same shooters, and every single shot went in. To solidify the win, Rinette Lagace made the right move to dive to stop a low shot from the Calgary Shooters.
Sunday brought on the division two Kelowna Mission Group Wildcats.
SEMIC relied on their speed from Thomas and Crozier and digging and passing skills from Schutz and Campbell. Teresa Fournier, absent from the local women's year-end tournament due to injury, was back in fine form and added strength on the backline. Aleong netted one in with her body from a hard low cross from Schutz that captured a win for SEMIC. With the three wins, SEMIC was in the semifinals against Vancouver Island Oceanside.
The teams battled through a scoreless first half and most of the second half. But not wanting another shootout, SEMIC applied late pressure, and it paid off.
Halfway through the second half, Tara Sweet made a back pass from Oceanside's corner, which Thomas put in a high cross that rebounded off the goalie and into the net. Shortly after, Campbell, in the 20-yard area, pounced on a missed kick from the Oceanside defence, and she placed a high long kick that sailed over the goalie's head.
In the championship game, SEMIC battled division one Langley United. United's combination of athleticism, technical ability and experience playing in regular high level competition made it too much for SEMIC to contend with and they accepted second place in the 24-team women's division.
