2012 All Stars: Ontario heading to the U-16 Girls Gold medal game
The first match of U-16 Girls play featured group A, Team Manitoba/Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
A victory of two or more goals for Team MB/SK would push them past Québec and place them in the Gold medal game. Unfortunately, British Columbia played the spoiler and crushed Team Manitoba/Saskatchewan’s chances with a 2:0 victory.
British Columbia didn’t waste any time getting their first goal in the 7th minute. The goal was a fantastic Sessen Steven’s header resulting from a perfectly placed corner.
Their second goal didn’t come until the 56th minute when Steven’s successfully broke down the left side and fired a shot on Team Manitoba/Saskatchewan keeper Madison Wilford. The shot rebounded into the 18 yard box to an open Caitlin Millham who put it home.
Team Manitoba/Saskatchewan definitely had their share of chances but just couldn’t capitalize.
In group B play, Team Atlantic faced Ontario. A win for the hosts, Team Atlantic, would put them through to the Gold medal game and a loss or draw would put Ontario through.
Ontario took the early lead with a goal by Taylor Pryce in the 3rd minute of play.
Team Atlantic waited until just before half to even things up. A wonderfully placed ball, set up a shot by Cloe Brennan which was initially stopped by Ontario’s keeper Miranda Horn but Brennan’s second attempt made it just over Horn’s outstretched arms and into the back of the net. The Team Atlantic goal tied things up at 1-1 going into the second half.
During the second half Ontario once again drew first as Veronica Johnson battled hard for possession at the top of the 18 yard box and was rewarded as her shot made it past the Team Atlantic keeper.
Johnson got her second of the contest in the 61st minute with a beautiful header from an even more amazing Andrea Petrina cross.
Team Atlantic had their chances in the second half but just couldn’t beat Horn who played a phenomenal match.
The 3:1 score would hold and put Ontario into Saturday’s Gold medal game.
Friday’s crossover U-16 match saw Québec continue their winning ways with a 6:2 victory over Alberta.
Championship Saturday begins with Team Manitoba/Saskatchewan against Team Atlantic at 8.00 local time (7.00 ET / 4.00 PT) followed by the Bronze medal game featuring British Columbia and Alberta at 10.00 local time (9.00 ET / 6.00 PT). The Championship match between Québec and Ontario will kick off at noon (11.00 ET / 8.00 PT). All matches will be at Mainland Common All-Weather Fields in Halifax.