Cerys Richards scored three minutes before halftime and the U12 Squamish United girls travel soccer team posted its ninth shutout in its past 12 games, edging the North Shore Black Bears 1-0 in a North Shore Community Cup semifinal game on Sunday (Feb. 12).
The victory at North Vancouver's Windsor School fields pushed Squamish into the tournament final against Whistler FC, which topped the North Shore Anacondas 3-2 in the other semifinal. The date and location of the final have yet to be determined.
Squamish United, coached by Marco Fanzone, has dominated play in the North Shore U12 Diadora Division this season, posting a record of 14 wins, no losses and one tie while outscoring opponents 47-9. The team has three games remaining in the regular season.
Squamish United has posted a pair of hard-fought 1-0 victories in its two Community Cup games, with Richards scoring the lone goal both times.
On Sunday, Richards received a pass from Linnea Burke on the left side, dribbled past a Black Bears defender and fired a 12-yard shot just inside the right goal post. It was Richards' 15th goal of the season. Goaltender Eliza Wilson recorded the shutout.
