As the first glorious blue skies finally cracked the grey clouds above last Sunday, our Sunshine Coast U15 Storm girls soccer team were ready to face the North Shore Lightning on the lower Kinnickinnik pitch in Sechelt. The girls were eager to replace the tough loss of the previous week in the city with a positive one that better represents what they are capable of, awesome soccer all the way.
The first half was a true battle, both teams pushing each other to the limit, challenge after challenge leading to the Lightning scoring first, putting the Storm on notice; if they aren’t the first to the ball most of the time and working harder to control the possession game, this will not end well. After some fumbling and uncertain passing giveaways the Storm awoke to create a sweet opportunity, equalizing it 1-1 at the half. The coaches had their work cut out for them on the sidelines now because this could go either way; cohesion and determination were needed for the second half more than ever.
The Storm came off the bench looking strong and up for the task at hand, but this Lightning team were very talented at ball control and passing and were still first to the ball most of the time. When the Storm allow this much first touch to another team, they end up playing a scrambled-defensive style of soccer that never let’s them gain any real advantages. Lightning went up 2-1 through more of the same good stylistic soccer and then quickly made it 3-1, which for any other team anywhere may have sealed the day.
But this is not any team and this is not anywhere, they are the Storm and this is the Sunshine Coast so buckle up sports fans, the well is deep.
Some sweet one touch passes in the middle led to the Storm making it 3-2 – if you had blinked you would have missed it. The energy rises dramatically, the girls and the fans know it is possible now, play on. The Storm are now first to the ball, sending passes through to hungry forwards from a strong defence, crossing to even hungrier strikers and challenging every ball like it was theirs. Watching this happen time and again it was only a matter of time, and putting the third goal in the back of the net only made complete sense, 3-3 with all hands on deck looking for more.
At this point in the game there was really nothing the Lightning could do as all the momentum belonged to the Storm. They were focused, unified and had the energy needed for magic. It came beautifully with the relentless attack down the wing, crossing to the middle and the fourth goal to win the game 4-3.
The Storm are now in league playoffs each week, which could see them invited back in for a chance at the provincial cup playoffs. They have a lot of work ahead to get there but after watching this game anyone would agree anything is possible from the Storm.
