Powell River Cobras under 15 girls’ soccer team travelled to Victoria to play Saanich Fusion in this year’s Island Cup Championship.
This championship pits the best of the Lower Island against the best of the Upper Island in each age group. The Cobras, two-time defending champions, were excited about the prospects of playing at the University of Victoria where a number of players hope to attend in a few years.
Cobras and Fusion had faced each other earlier in the season to determine who would represent Vancouver Island at the BC soccer provincial championships in July. The Cobras prevailed in that one and the players knew they would need to play well to claim their third straight Island Cup.
The game was played under blue skies and heavy winds, however, that didn’t deter either team who treated the fans to an exciting game of soccer. Cobras’ strikers, Rachel Horspool, Allahna Somji and Erin Broughton, kept constant pressure on the Saanich defence which caused many turnovers and corner kicks. Even though great corner kicks from Brittany Harry and Cassidy Ball never resulted in any goals, they produced many chances which the Cobras were unlucky not to finish.
A nice finish from Horspool on a breakaway early in the second half gave the champions a little breathing room with a 1-0 lead. Strong play from midfielders Callie McNeil, Santana Huetzelmann, Sharlene Timothy, Sydney Hanson and game MVP (most valuable player) Braea Mayenburg, resulted in many Fusion passes missing their mark.
Powell River’s strong defence, which has been its trademark for the past four years, was missing Sydney Liknes due to a foot injury, however Ondreah Kristof stepped in and along with the other defenders MacKenzie Balzan, Emily Mayenburg, Ricci Leitch and Ball kept the Saanich forwards away from their net. This resulted in goalkeeper Destiny Dendewicz having very little to do. However, when called upon, she came off her line well collecting through balls.
Cobras closed out the game in style, shutting down the Lower Island champs and its potent offence. The players collected their third straight Island Cup championship with a 1-0 victory.
Next up for the Cobras is the Coastal Cup championship where it will defend its reign against West Vancouver in Richmond.
