Mother Nature let us know that she was still in charge as the senior girls' house leagues held their year-end tournaments at Kinnikinnick field last weekend.
Saturday started out cloudy, then more cloud, then drizzle and then rain. Halfway through the fourth games it started to snow. That lasted for an hour then out came the sun accompanied by a strong cold northwest wind. This wacky weather did not dampen the spirits or enthusiasm of the players, though. On Sunday, Mother Nature knew she had met her match and so the girls were presented with a beautiful spring day for their final games.
The U15 round robin saw 10 close games with Dave Nanson's smooth playing team dominating, but not overpowering, the opposition. Becky Flumerfelt's team nudged into second place with John Sheehy's and Dani Thompson's teams making the semifinals too.
In the semis, Nanson's crew stepped up their pace and moved into the final with a 4-1 win. Flumerfelt's and Sheehy's teams gave a great entertaining game, finishing regular time tied 0-0. Overtime proved nothing, so it was into shootout. The Flumerfelts won the penalty competition 2-0 and moved into the final. And what a final it was - up and down the field with everyone going full out. With 10 minutes to go and the score still tied 0-0, Flumerfelt's defence won the ball during a Nanson attack. A midfielder whipped a lovely through ball and Devon May was on her way. The goalie came out, but Devon nudged the ball past her just at the right time. In the net it went and that was it for the scoring - a great way to win with a goal that was made by the whole team. The quality of the U15 players continues to improve, showing the quality of coaching they are receiving.
The U18 round robin was split into two groups of four.
Group one was the top four teams led by league champions, Dave Bradshaw's Supremes. The six games were all tight. Only two games finished with two-goal margins with the rest just by one goal.
Rick Wildeman's Golddiggers did what no other team had done this year - beat the Supremes. The round robin finished with three teams tied with six points with Supremes and Crystal Goodwin's Silver Streaks going onto the semifinals courtesy of a plus-two goal differential. Group two was made up of the four lower teams in league play. It too was tight and competitive with two 0-0 ties and the other four games decided by one goal. Brent Sheppard's Pender Mighty Socks and Ellen Thomas' Pinkies moved onto the semifinals.
In the next round the Supremes re-established their winning ways with a strong 4-0 win over the Mighty Socks. The Pinkies surprised the Silver Streaks with a 1-0 win, which set up a really wonderful final. The Supremes and the Pinkies gave everything they had left in the tank. It was hard tackling, hard running and crisp passing as they took turns going to the attack. Both goalies and defence's stood up well under the pressure of the attacks they had to face. Then Pinkies were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area close to the side line. It was a perfect cross and the left winger charged in and drove the ball into the net for a 1-0 Pinkies lead at the half.
Supremes had a move down the right side and a long looping shot went over the Pinkies goalie into the net to tie the score at 1-1 early in the second half. Both teams really wanted this one and you could see and feel the urgency in their play. In the last minute, Pinkies had a move down the right wing. A low cross into the goal area gave forwards, defence and the goalie trouble. The Pinkies' left winger charged into the goalmouth and bundle the ball over the line for a goal and the championship for the Pinkies.
There were U15 and U18 boys tournaments also played last weekend, but at press time Thursday pertinent data had not been receive. We'll hopefully have that for you next week.
