Sixteen women comprised from the Sunshine Coast Women's Soccer League (CALs Crushers, CP Blazers, Mayhem and Gibsons Pigs) went to 27th annual Salmon Arm/Shuswap soccer tournament over the August long weekend.
Sunshine Coast played their first game at high noon with temperatures in the low 30s against Salmon Arm Red Setter's Pub team. Unity and enthusiasm were brought on despite the heat. This was apparent in their first win of 3-1. Rinette Lagace received injuries in the game, but like a Trojan horse continued to play the entire weekend. Two beautiful canon goals came from Brooke Whalen and her assist with a cross to Ginny Blattler who chested the goal in.
Next up were the Kamloops Adrenlines.
Tracey Benner came out from a hiatus to play with the team and played well in the midfield. Speedsters Krista Cantarutti, Jena and Tiegan Crozier kept Adrenlines' defence worried, while midfielders Amy Campbell, Laura Dixon and Tara Sullivan kept the Adrenlines at bay Final score was a 3-1 win for Sunshine Coast.
The Salmon Arm Merlots were the next victims for the Coast side.
Impressive run downs on the left side and fancy footwork from Tara Sullivan to Blattler brought on two goals. Another two goals came from Whalen with her hard foot shots. She also assisted in Carla Paetkau's goal after Whalen ran it in the right corner and crossed it on the ground for Paetkau who came running from her centre defensive position to tap it in. With a win of 5-0 this cinched the Coast teams chance to go into the finals. Sunshine Coast went to the finals on Monday at 11 a.m. to meet up with the Salmon Arm Red Setter's Pub team again. The first 10 minutes were tough in the soaring temperatures, but then settled down and stayed in their half most of the game.
Goals came from the Croziers sisters - Jena and Tiegan and Blattler.
The tournament had all 16 Sunshine Coast women play so well and cohesively.
Sunco Electrical Management and Platypus Scrapbook Co. helped sponsor the team for the tournament.
The team plans to donate their $450 first-place prize money to the memorial fund set up at the Sunshine Coast Credit Union in honour of Trina Borley and Hanna Anderson.
