Amateur Sports
Western Canada Summer Games
BC Soccer U15/16 Women’s and Men’s Provincial Teams won Gold and Silver respectively at the Western Canada Summer Games in Kamloops this past weekend to cap of a successful Provincial Teams Program Season.
Having beaten Saskatchewan and North West Territories en-route to the final, the BC Women’s U15/16 soccer team won the Gold medal 3-1 against Manitoba in a very physical match.
Two early goals by South Surrey’s Amanpreet Sherghill in the 7th and 22nd minutes set the stage for a BC victory. Richmond’s Summer Clarke later scored to make it 3-0.
A late goal by Manitoba wasn’t enough to change the outcome.
Even though BC had a player sent off late in the game for a second yellow card offence, the team held out to take the gold medal.”The girls came out and executed what we asked,” said BC Women’s head coach and staff member of BC Soccer’s Soccer Development Department Markus Reinkens (Port Moody).
“We got out to a good lead and were put under a little pressure at the end losing a player (to a red card). It’s a great achievement by the team in challenging conditions after what has been a very hard and long season for many of the players.
Captain Jasmine Mander (Delta), who scored a goal in the contest, said after the game “Like any Gold medal game you want it as equally as the next team. Both teams want to be physical.
It was expected. Both teams wanted to win.” Unfortunately the boys’ team were unable to replicate the gold medal performance by the girls, losing 2-0 to Alberta and therefore bringing home the silver medal. Wins against Manitoba and the Yukon gave the team a place in the gold medal game but two early goals by Alberta won it for them despite a spirited fight back by the BC team.
Head Coach Michael Findlay (West Vancouver) said “I am very proud of what the boys managed to achieve even though they eventually lost to a physical Alberta team.
Their application and commitment to continue apply themselves technically throughout was a key factor and honours the overall philosophy of the program.
This is a great experience for all of the players and one which they will remember for many years to come”.
For information visit http://www.bcsoccer.net/SOCCER/tabid/244/Default.aspx