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Cobras second on Coast

Fighting to the end team can be proud of achievement

In search of their first Coastal Cup championship, the Powell River Cobras U13 girls’ soccer team started off on the right foot when they recently hosted Surrey Lightning at Brooks Secondary School athletic field. The local girls took a one-goal lead into the second half before blowing the game wide open and defeating their opponents 4-0 to advance to the semifinals.

As with any competition of this magnitude the further into the draw one goes, the tougher the competition. This proved true as the Cobras drew an away game to face Squamish Fireballs. Travelling with a short bench the girls didn’t seem phased as they came out strong and took it to the very good home side. They cruised to a 1-0 victory and advanced to the Coastal Cup finals held in Richmond.

This championship is contested throughout the lower mainland including the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island and Powell River. The finals see the top two teams in each age square off in a one-game winner take all.

In the final the Cobras came out fast and furious taking the game to West Vancouver Lightning. With constant pressure and numerous corner kicks the young Cobras continued to pressure the West Van defenders. The Lightning earned their right to play in the big game as well and showed why they were undefeated all season. With time winding down in a scoreless first half, disaster struck as a few unlucky bounces resulted in the ball crossing the Cobras’ goal line completely against the run of play.

Starting the second half behind by one goal was unusual for the girls, however they came out even harder and put West Van under even more intense pressure than earlier. As the final whistle blew the Cobras, although unhappy, knew that they had given the city girls all they could handle.

The team, consisting of strikers Rachel Horspool, Emily White, Calli-Ann Abbott; midfielders Brittany Harry, Ondreah Kristof, Braea Mayenburg, Allahna Somji, Callie McNeil, Santana Heutzelman, Sydney Hanson; defenders Carolyn Smith, Sydney Liknes, Emily Mayenburg, Cassidy Ball, Ricci Leitch; and goalkeepers Destiny Dendewicz and Elise Hocking acquitted themselves very well and showed everyone that they deserve to be considered one of the top teams in the province.