Sarnia Spirit U-11 vs. NorWest Panthers
July 13 09

 

Second place was at stake when the Sarnia Spirit U-11 girls hosted the London NorWest Panthers.

Sarnia tried to strike first. Vanessa Wardell won a 50/50 ball and passed ahead to Kristin Parkes. Parkes made a long run and crossed the ball to Kristy Hodgins but the NorWest keeper was in position to thwart the attempt.
 

Parkes again attacked and once more found Hodgins but the keeper gathered the shot and kept the game deadlocked at 0-0. Cameron George, rested after her vacation, made a good pass to Kyleigh Arthur. Arthur crossed to Katie Barwitzki but the Spirit striker couldn’t finish the chance.

Barwitzki had another opportunity when she scampered down the left wing but her shot was handled by the NorWest goalie.
 

Kristy Hodgins carried the ball down the line. A pass to Skylar Soininen saw the forward shield the ball and pass back to Parkes. A charging Parkes fired a shot just over the bar.

Parkes was determined on this night and dipsy doodled her way into the heart of the Panther defense. A deft layoff to Vanessa Bucci almost worked but the shot was wide.

 

NorWest finally had an opportunity late in the half when their striker was sent in alone on Ashley Pettit in the Spirit goal. A challenging Pettit deflected the shot and the rebound was struck high over the net. Both teams went to the sidelines scoreless for the first half.

 

The Spirit started the second half strongly. Bucci found Kristy Hodgins but a shot short side missed the net. Parkes penetrated the London defense and spotted Arthur. Kyleigh buried the chance for a 1-0 Spirit lead.

 

Sarnia tried to increase their lead when Nicole Bus spotted Wardell. Wardell passed to Parkes who found Pettit (replaced by Barwitzki in net) who returned the pass to Parkes. A high shot sailed over the net.

 

The Sarnia defense led by Alexa Van Hoorn, Emma Colman and Lauren Shaw kept the Panthers at bay and Sarnia kept their league unbeaten streak with a 1-0 victory.