Thunder make some noise at Showcase tourney
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Kootenay Thunder Regional Girl’s Soccer squad displayed flashes of brilliance during the Western Canada Showcase Tournament this past weekend in Burnaby.
The Thunder finished the tourney with a 1-3 record but the overall result did not disappoint coach Dave Spendlove.
“Many of the top college scouts attending this event where very positive and liked how the Thunder girls tried to play possession soccer at all times,” the Thunder coach explained.
“The program has received around a dozen inquiries from these college coaches about various girls in the program for the future as some of the girls are only 14/15 playing up two years.”
The tournament attracted scouts from across Canada as well as U.S. universities from Notre Dame, Yale and Miami.
The Thunder opened against a very good Saskatchewan Provincial team, losing 5-2.
A nervous Kat Gabalu goalkeeper, recruited at the last minute, had a tough time adjusting to the level of play and her defensive line also looked like they had never played at the higher level.
A 25-yard screamer from Erica Augsten and a goal from a direct free kick by Brittany Wheeler kept the score close for the Thunder.
Kootenay then played like a completely different team Saturday as they squad dominated the Fraser Valley Y-League 2-0.
“This was the best performance by the Thunder for the year as they schooled the Super Y franchise in total soccer,” said Spendlove.
Goals from Andrea Stinson who beat three players before slotted her finish home combined with a wonderful left-footed cracker from outside the box by Brenna Mckay completed a fantastic performance by Kootenay.
“Taylor Stewart, Eli Hewit and Jaala Derochie all played their best games of the season with Sam Einerson, Morag Petterson also putting in a good performance,” said Spendlove.
Kootenay finished the tourney with a 2-0 loss to Lakewood of Edmonton and 4-0 to Langley F.C.
“This was the final event for these girls for this season and for their first season at this kind of level the Kootenay South Girls of Danika Bartlett, Taylor McKinnon, Jaala Derochie, Jessica Britton, Hailey McLean and Brenna McKay,” Spendlove explained.
“(The players) have been brought into a style of soccer uncommon for them have blended well with the Nelson girls Andrea Stinson, Taylor Stewart, Samantha Einerson, Tasha Hewat, Morag Petterson, Erica Augsten, Britanny Wheeler, Eli Hewat, Paige Mansveld, and Ameeta Bhabra.”
Soccer Quest is holding tryouts for next season during the summer. Contact www.soccerquest.ca for more information.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
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