The U11 Select 2000s had an impressive and successful tournament
debut this past weekend at the Coquitlam Metro Ford-hosted Thanksgiving
Tournament, which was open to Select U11 and U12 teams only.
After
being seeded first in their bracket, the girls' fortunes took a bit of a
turn when they lost 1-0 to another pre-tournament favourite, the Surrey
United Tornados. The girls carried most of the play in the game but
were unable to find their finish around their opponent's net.
Next up was their club co-Select team, the BGSC United. After a
hard-fought first half, which finished nil-nil, the 2000s managed to
find their scoring touch in the second, finishing ahead 4-0 at full
time.
The final round-robin game was against the spumescent Kerrisdale
Cappucinos, who were in tough against the possession-style approach of
their opponents, and the final score was 3-1 for Burnaby.
Finishing second in Bracket B meant crossing-over to play the
semi-final against the host Bombers, who had finished first in Bracket
A.
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The game had perhaps extra significance since these two North
District teams are likely to meet several times over the course of the
regular season and, as many have speculated, are the pre-season picks to
meet in the District Cup Final. It was not Coquitlam's day however, as
they lost their bid to reach the finals.
Burnaby played a relentless
passing game that kept the Bombers at bay for most of the game. The
final score was 2-0 on goals by Emma Regan and Gigi Janes, as the Select
2000s advanced to the finals hoping to avenge their loss to the Surrey
United Tornados, who had beaten the game Port Moody Stingers in the
other semi-final.
Surrey turned the tables on Burnaby and played a strong first half,
emerging with a 1-0 lead, scoring seconds before the end of the
first half. The Tornados kept the pressure on to start the second half
and quickly went up 2-0. After settling his troops and encouraging
them to "play their game", Carlos Grosso's squad finally got rolling and
started creating chances. About half-way through the second half, Emma
Regan scored on a free kick to cut the lead in half.
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Burnaby team kept pressing until, with time expiring, Julia Grosso
scored the equalizer on a terrific shot from the top of the goalie's
box. The game would be decided on penalty kicks.
Olivia Austin, Burnaby's keeper, made two great saves to keep the
Tornados to a single goal in their first five shots. The Select 2000s,
unfortunately, were unable to capitalize, scoring only once themselves.
So it all came down to sudden death PKs. Burnaby shot first....and
Janika Sangha's low shot streaked into the corner of the net! The
spotlight fell on Olivia who could taste victory. The shot from the
penalty spot was a good one, low and toward the corner. But Olivia was
up to the task and dove across her net, stretching to make yet another
spectacular save! Champions!
After a well-fought, exciting game, the BGSC Select 2000 left with
medals around their necks and with pride replacing the aches and
pains of a long but successful tournament. Congratulations girls!
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