The U14 girls Stingrays are off to the Coastal Cup and provincial championships after a dramatic 1-0 win Sunday over Dunbar.
In a rainy, windy, winner-take-all match, both teams played like the champions they are, in spite of the poor weather. Both sides had excellent scoring chances, both keepers played very well, and it looked like the 0-0 game was headed for overtime. But late in the game, Selina Byer got the ball in close, waited until the Dynamite keeper committed herself, and put the ball past her for the game's only goal.
Player of the game jerseys went to Olivia Cantarutti and Katrina Nanson.
The win secured the Stingrays a berth in both the Coastal Cup championships at the end of April and the provincial championships in early July.
Thanks to the girls, their parents and coaches Sara Schutz and Rick McGuire for their team spirit, hard work and dedication.U12 boysThe Predators season came to an abrupt end as they lost 6-0 to a strong Mount Seymour Royals team last Saturday.
The score was worse than the balance of play, but the Royals had a pair of talented strikers who did not miss their opportunities, and the Predators could not muster many chances. The Predators can take some comfort in that, for most of the game, they could hold their own against a strong gold one team.
The Predators would like to thank their kind sponsors, Gibsons Marketplace IGA and Interfor - Sechelt Division for their support throughout the year.
U17 girlsLast Sunday Chaos travelled to Mission to play in a cup semifinal game. The field conditions were comparable to a mud bath, but this did not stop the determined Sunshine Chaos. They embraced the poor field conditions and torrential downpour and conquered yet another game in a shoot-out.
The game ended with a 3-3 tie, with Chaos dominating the shoot-out. Chaos will play in the title of the Coastal Cup at the end of the month.
U13 boysSunshine Coast Adren-alin finished off their season with a Coastal Cup game against West Van Spuraways last weekend.West Van is a tier above Adrenalin, as they are a gold one team.
"We played a little tentatively to start, but hung in there," said coach John Lussier.
West Van scored off a rebound about 10 minutes into the game. Adrenalin picked up its play for the last 15 minutes of the first half but still trailed 1-0 at the break.
West Van made it 2-0 early in the second half, but Adrenalin responded quickly.
Stashan Coady hit a rocket of a free kick from about 30 yards that slammed off the underside of the cross bar. Jonah Lussier came charging in to head the ball home.
The score remained 2-1 until near the end when West Van scored two late goals to make the final 4-1.
"The boys played very well. It was a one goal game for most of it," Lussier said. "They never gave up, challenged hard right to the final whistle. Brendan Barnum, our back-up keeper, played extremely well, making numerous saves to keep it close. That is the end of a very successful season. We finished fourth out of 10 teams in our division. I was very impressed with the boys and how they developed over the season. I'm already looking forward to the try-outs and to next year."
U12 girlsUnited matched up with Guilford Lions in the coastal cup last Sunday and were determined to win from the start.
The first 15 minutes of the game were played in the Lions half of the field. A cross by Paige Nattal into the Lions goalkeeper's hands was met by Angie Cantarutti's follow through to put the dropped ball into the net, giving United a 1-0 lead.
Guilford came on strong in the second half with two nice high outside shots that were blocked by United keeper Alexis Toigo. End-to-end action ended in a 1-0 win for United at full time.
United are off to the Surrey Breakers spring break tournament this weekend. Next cup game is April 1 at home.
