The Squamish Fireballs girls travel soccer team wrapped up a stellar season with a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Surrey Venom in the final of the U14 Classic Cup Silver tournament on Sunday (April 1) in Chilliwack.
The Fireballs, coached by Margret Christensen, finished the season with 19 wins, three losses and seven draws in all competitions, scoring 95 goals while allowing just 24.
In the Classic Cup tournament, the Fireballs won their round-robin group and won three elimination games to reach the final, Christensen said. The elimination-round games included a 3-1 win against West Vancouver, a win that was particularly satisfying because of the rivalry between two teams, she said.
On Sunday, the Venom took a 1-0 lead on a penalty kick, but the Fireballs rebounded with a goal from Lyra Tuck in the second half. Surrey then scored on a scramble in front of the Squamish goal with six minutes left in the second 10-minute overtime, and held on for the victory. Defender Taylor Sutherland was named Squamish's player of the game.
Christensen said passing and team unity were key to the Fireballs' success during the 2011-'12 season.
"The girls play as a team and they really know how to focus on passing and do one-touch passes, and that's been amazing, and that's what gets us all the goals that we score," she said.
Aside from Tuck and Sutherland, the Fireballs were comprised of Aimee Laventure, Alexander Wade, Amanjot Dhami, Amhani Jones, Cori-Lee Ward, Jasmin Grewal, Lauren Batcho, Makenna Bailey, Rylie Venables, Shondra Martin, Tatjana Vogel, Tori Boulier-Crane, Tyra Woods. Ken Bailey served as assistant coach and Paula Ward as manager.
