The Sunshine Coast Thunder U12 girls rep soccer team is off to a roaring start this season.
Coming off a strong third place finish in their season-opener tournament, Thunder played their first regular season game against a skilled North Van squad.
Much hard work by Mikayla Towert kept the ball up front, and Georgie Aleong was able to strike home her shot for a goal early in the first half. The girls hung on in the face of a strong counterattack, helped by spectacular saves by Lydia Harvey Lloyd, and came up 1-0 winners.
Their second season game saw the girls up against another strong North Van squad, and there were thrilling plays at both ends of the pitch.
Lulu Kammerle passed the ball smartly and Alyssa Rive fought hard to give the team many chances. Down 1-0 late in the game, ferocious defending by Ingrid Hansen and Hollie Piepjohn kept North Van at bay, and with only a minute left, Emma Cooney found an opening and blasted a shot for the tying goal and thrilling finish to the game.
Their third game saw the Thunder playing in a downpour at Jericho against Van United. Nisha Wells and McKenzie Inksater hustled hard, but the Thunder came up on the short end of a 2-0 score.
Back at home in the sunshine at Piccadilly for their fourth game, the girls played a strong game against a tough Burnaby team. The action went back and forth, but late in the second half, the game's only goal was scored when Kobi August was able to break through a strong defence and pound home a blistering shot, leaving the Thunder 1-0 victors.
The Thunder played next in Vancouver.
Hard work and a goal by Kiah Duffey kept the game close, but unfortunately they came up short, losing 2-1.
Last weekend saw the Thunder back in Vancouver, and despite the dodgy weather, the players came out strong. With an early goal by Georgie, the girls were tied 1-1 going into the second half. The Thunder kept the pressure up in the second half, eventually earning a goal when Pearl Deasey cleverly stole the ball off a goal kick and buried her shot, putting the Thunder up 2-1 for the win.
With a strong record in this their very first season of rep soccer, the Thunder look forward to their next few games.
-Submitted
