The two-day, six-team, waterlogged women's tournament took place last weekend at Shirley Macy. The two finalists ended up playing eight games apiece, and four games in a row on Sunday, in the freezing rain. It was inspiring to watch these soaking wet, good spirited women manage to play game after game, as fans and husbands shivered on the sidelines.
I don't know when women's soccer got so good, but it's good. As well, any women new to the Coast should check out the comradery and fun they are having - the teams are very accepting of new players.
Fusion and Gibsons Pigs were edged out of the semifinals though both played some great ball. In their head-to-head match, Pigs' Sydney Celli was relentless up and down the wing as she battled with Hannah Joesphson. Celli put herself through on a breakaway, but Jessica Wells came out with two big saves. Fusion's Leslie Cooper and Sam Miles took up some midfield slack left by ace centre Vicki Schneider, while the Pigs' Caitlin Sampson and Teagan Crozier brought vigor to the Pigs' side.
In the first semifinal, Xenichen Ya Yas edged IGA Blazers 1-0 with a strike from Marlice Joesphson. Blazers' keeper Corinne Keane made big saves all weekend long, and stopped a penalty shot in the last minute. Blazers' Sue Hoy also had good runs to the net, and was sliding into the goal mouth to put away one of Christine Campbell's crosses. In the other semi, it was again close with CALs Crushers going ahead of Marshall Mayhem 1-0. Mayhem played that long day of soccer without any subs. Jen Marshall downed a big mug of tea and donned the white jersey to come out even after that terrible flu that went around last week.
For the last four years, CALs and Mayhem have alternated taking on Ya Yas in the tournament final. This year was CALs turn. While Ya Yas had the edge on first touch and ball handling, CALs played the better passing game. Kara McDonnell sent in a cross that was expertly handled and headed into the net by Kim Starnes. Arlene Dixon and Eliza August both had great tournaments and with long balls almost managed to send Joesphson to the net. Little Lauren Smith navigated her way through CALs' midfield to give Miranda Joe some nice balls, while Tara Sweet ran ball after ball down the sideline to swing it in for Amy Campbell and McDonnell. When referee Melissa Di Pietro's final whistle blew, you could see shoulders slump, as these inspiring women took to their tents as theirsoccer marathon was finally over. They were shivering, soaking, dirty, some bleeding knees, but still smiling. They were like the Who's from Whoville on Christmas. Who knewthe spirit of the thing? Let's see if the men can follow their example in two weeks at Ted Dixon when the men's playoffs begin.
