Despite a slow start, the Squamish Storm U14 girls futsal team managed to walk away from the 2013 Provincial Futsal Championships in Richmond with a bronze.
Nine players competed in the five-a-side tournament, which is a form of soccer played indoors and on a smaller pitch.
The girls dropped both games on Saturday (Jan. 5) to two different Richmond teams, but then bounced back on Sunday (Jan. 6) with a 5-1 win over Coquitlam Metro Ford and then a 4-3 win over Coquitlam in the bronze game later that afternoon.
Squamish Youth Soccer technical director Jonas Worth was pleased with the team’s performance.
“The girls demonstrated some real growth in the way they possessed the ball and didn't panic under pressure — the key elements of playing futsal,” he said in an email. “I'm hoping they bring these aspects to their outdoor game and our main goal in entering the tournament was to teach them some new skill. Our performance on Sunday exceeded all expectations.”
Worth pointed out that Jasleen Sekhon and Kei Grey scored several big goals for the team on Sunday and that goalkeeper Madison Doyle was strong between the pipes, especially in the bronze-medal game. He also praised the play of centre backs Kaci Reed and Isobelle Williston, who played a composed game all weekend.
The Storm are coached by Brent Williston and Chris Doyle, with assistance from manager Sherry Elchuk and Worth.
For more information on youth soccer in Squamish, visit www.squamishsoccer.ca.
