The Source captured the 2010 women's league soccer title in a thrilling shootout victory last Sunday afternoon at Shirley Macey Field.
Xenichen Ya Yas gave Source all they could handle as the two teams met in the final for the second year in a row. Excellent defensive sweeping from Teagan Crozier and Sara Agnew kept opposition strikers off the scoreboard, and the teams finished regular time at 0-0, again for the second year in a row.
The last whistle in a tied final is always a sombre event, as the teams line up their shooters, and a couple of hundred fans pile onto the field to form a semi-circle around the goal. The first keeper raises her hand to show she's ready, the ref nods, the first shooter runs at the ball, and it's game on.
The result was finally determined by a fifth shooter save by Carolyn Spence, which won the tourney for Source.
Heaven also held its breath during the shootout, and the wind and rain came on suddenly after, to chase the players and fans to their cars after another excellent women's tourney.
Tournament play started Saturday with seven games packed into the two-day event. All the games were close, and most ended as ties or were won by a single goal. The playoff outcome seemed to stand the season's standings on its head. After Saturday's round robin play, Fusion, Pigs and Ya Yas all made the semifinals, after spending the season at the bottom of the league
The Pigs were especially excited about their first visit to the semifinals in team history. Usually by the semifinals the Pigs are unfolding lawn chairs and setting up on the sidelines. However, coach Ginny Blattler's irrepressible enthusiasm seemed to buoy the team, and so last Sunday, they found themselves lacing up their boots while it was league leaders Mayhem and Blazers who watched from the sidelines.
Pigs battled Source to a tight 1-0 loss on a top corner chip from Marian Evans. On the other side, Ya Yas edged Fusion.
As the season has now come to a close, the league would like to thank the referees and Sean Whalen for their help with a great playoff weekend.
