The Sarnia Spirit U14 Girls Soccer Team recently competed in Ontario Cup in St. Catharines, Ontario.

 

The team put together an exceptional weekend of soccer and proved once again that Sarnia Girls soccer teams must be reckoned with on the provincial stage.

 

The highlight of the weekend was a 0-0 tie in the final game vs. Brampton Brams United Rebels – the 2008 Ontario Cup Champions who are highly favoured to repeat in 2009.

 

The game was a physical affair with Brampton’s much bigger team using hand checking, shirt pulling and aggressive play to slow the Spirit team down.

 

Both sides shared chances to score with Spirit goalkeeper Jesse “Red” Kozachuk showing her athletic capabilities in making many brilliant saves.

 

Showing their frustration on not beating the Sarnia keeper, Brampton followed up a hard shot on net with a charge to Red knocking her out of the contest prior to the end of the first half.

 

Mackenzie “Tank” Colbran quickly stepped up and replaced Red in the net. She too stood tall for Sarnia, thwarting the Brams attack again and again.

 

Sarnia sweeper - Laurenne “Smiley” D’esterre had the best chance of the game nearly scoring on a beautiful header from a corner kick that just sailed over the bar in the dying minutes of the game.

 

 

Brams United completed the Ontario Cup tournament qualifier with 3 wins and an 11-0 goal differential prior to Sarnia stopping their streak in the final contest of the weekend.

 

Brams United advances to the next round of Ontario Cup with Sarnia watching upcoming results closely.

 

On Saturday, the first match of the tournament saw Sarnia playing the host team – St. Catharines Jets.

 

Sarnia took an early one goal lead when the Spirit mid-field won possession of the ball and threaded a forward pass behind the Jet’s defence.

 

Chantal “Shawny” Caraher picked up the pass on the run and blasted a low hard drive past the keeper for a 1-0 lead.

 

St. Catharines awoke from their slumber on the backs of the hometown refereeing and tied the game with less than 5 minutes to play in the match.

 

 “Red” Kozachuk had another outstanding game keeping it at 1-1 despite having to face a St. Catharines penalty shot.

 

In game 2 Sarnia faced a highly skilled Markham team. Showing quick movement off the ball and speed, Sarnia had to muster all of its energy to hold the game to 0-0 until Markham scored with under 1 minute to play. This was Sarnia’s  first and only defeat of the weekend.

 

In Sunday’s first match, the Spirit team came to the fields rested and ready to romp.

 

Coach Faz and Weisser could smell victory in the air (or was it pulled pork?).

 

Sarnia dominated the Waterloo Eagles throughout the contest winning every 50-50 ball and having many chances.

 

With help from her fellow mid-fielders Michaela “Faz” Fazio, Nathalie “the Hammer” Harris and Michelle “Italian Stallion” Savo, Syd “Smitty” Smith was able to press the play into the attacking zone.

 

Smitty struck twice with laser shots past the Waterloo keeper clipping the Eagle’s Wings and dashing any hopes of them returning to their nests unplucked.

 

The final game was the 0-0 tie with Brams with valiant efforts put in by forwards Sid “Weisser” Weiss, Nicole “Killer” Surdyka, Shae-Lynn “Dutchie” Van Gassen and call-ups from the Italian and English U14 National Teams - Maria “Jr. Stallion” Vanni and Amy “Blondie” Bennett - daughter of Steve “3 putt” Bennett – local Sarnia sports legend.   

 

During the four games, the Sarnia team showed exceptional talent and strength in the full back position from Carly “Chuckles” Pretty, Daniel “Chirpy” Quinn, Carly “Ghetto” Stamm, Mackenzie “Crazy Legs” Shaw.

 

Coaches Smitty, Frankie Faz, Weisser, Heather “Time to hang em-up” Ireland and Manager Extraordinaire Dr.Gina Savo were very proud of the Spirit team effort.