Powell River Cobras U14 girls’ soccer club defeated its last two opponents to earn the right to play in the Coastal Cup finals which crown the best teams from Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland.
In the quarter-finals Powell River hosted West Vancouver Spuraways. Cobras dominated the game, however, a strong performance by the visiting goalkeeper kept Cobras’ offence at bay until the 12-minute mark. Leading 1-0, Cobras turned up the heat and doubled its lead by scoring off a corner kick.
The second half was much the same as the Cobras continued to pressure its visitors. This resulted in its second goal off a corner kick, both headers. Winning the game 3-0 put Cobras into the semifinals the following week.
Tsawwassen Blues chartered a plane and flew to Powell River on Sunday, April 22, to play the Cobras for the right to advance to the Coastal Cup final. Also at stake for the Blues was a berth in this year’s BC soccer provincial finals which Cobras has already qualified for.
The two teams, who had never met previously, played entertaining soccer for the many fans in attendance. Both teams showed strong defensive plays resulting in much of the match being played between the two penalty areas. Cobras held an edge in possession and came close to scoring a couple of times. However, the score remained 0-0 after regulation time.
Playing two 10-minute extra periods was necessary and the Cobras finally broke the ice with a header giving it a 1-0 lead with five minutes remaining. With two minutes left the Blues received a free kick from 22 yards out. The kick was taken with precision tying the match at 1-1 and pushing the game into penalty kicks.
Each team named five shooters who, along with the goalkeepers, held the fate of their teams in their hands. First to shoot for the home side was Brittany Harry who picked the corner of the net and beat the keeper giving Cobras a one-goal edge. The Blues’ first shooter rang her shot off the crossbar. Calli-Ann Abbott shot second for the Cobras and unfortunately her shot sailed over the bar. The Blues tied it up with its next shot. Emily Mayenburg was next and she fed the ball into the back of the net. The Blues were then stymied by keeper Elise Hocking who made a great save keeping her team to a 2-1 lead. Sydney Liknes then stepped up to the spot and beat the visiting keeper with a shot to the corner. The Blues would not roll over though as its fourth shooter scored its second goal. With the score 3-2 all the Cobras needed to advance was for Braea Mayenburg to score, which she did sending the Cobras to the Coastal Cup finals for the second straight year.
Contributing to the two successful victories for Cobras were Hocking in net; Ricci Leitch, Cassidy Ball, Ondreah Kristof, E. Mayenburg and Liknes on defence; Callie McNeil, Allahna Somji, MacKenzie Balzan, Santana Heutzelmann, Sydney Hanson, Harry and B. Mayenburg in the midfield; with Rachel Horspool, Destiny Dendewicz and Abbott up front. Emily White, recovering from a concussion suffered earlier in the season, is close to returning which will bolster the already strong lineup.
Cobras leave for Richmond on May 5 with its first match on May 6.
