On Sunday, Feb. 19, the Sunshine Coast U14 Storm girls soccer hosted their rivals, the Port Coquitlam Euro Rite soccer club, at a blustery rainy Hackett Park in Sechelt. The last time these two teams faced each other in PoCo last fall gave our girls a bitter grass ball in their cleats that needed to be cleansed; sportsmanship is not high on some other teams’ agenda.
Today was the day for renewal – everyone heard the wind off the ocean telling the Storm they can do anything if they try, or maybe that was coach Trina Giesbrecht whispering her unrelenting positive wisdom. The whistle was merely a formality for this clash of talented teenagers and both sides showed the fans why they were chosen to represent their communities – talent and passion runs high in these girls.
The Storm learned last time that being shy would lead to defeat, so today it was all about being first to the ball, getting physical whenever necessary and never backing down from anyone no matter how intimidating.
After countless wicked progressions down the field from both sides equally, PoCo put one on the board first. But soon after it was time for Faye Duffy, who plays a wicked attacking mid-fielder, to lob a beauty over the keeper and put the Storm on the board. PoCo charged hard everywhere they went, a style that must be met with the same, and the Storm did this like champions, shoulder to shoulder at every turn; 1-1 at the half.
As the second half began it felt like nothing could stop the Storm – the men’s league who played a game just before were slack-jawed on the sidelines taking notes on the brilliance. When two teams are matched and playing this well, it feels like this is where you were meant to be; the girls never stopped playing harder play after play.
The pendulum had swung in the Storm’s favour through hard work and grit when Mary Wood, controlling the ball in front of the net, turned and sent the winning goal to roars of elation from the fans.
The game ended the way the Storm girls had pictured it during their cumulative dreams ever since the last meeting, beating them at their own game – strong soccer with a touch of class, 2-1 final. A fantastic game from a team we have come to expect this from, they are now perfectly positioned to ride confidently farther into the rest of the championship games for the season. Look out Vancouver – a Storm is on the way.
– Submitted by Patrick Fitzsimons
