U-14 Girls: Host Burlington Bayhawks move to quarterfinal
After his Burlington Bayhawks won their opening game 6:0, head coach Dino Colarossi knew a similar scenario unfolding in future matches was highly unlikely.
Despite a far closer encounter against a tough Saskatchewan opponent, the Bayhawks defeated the Prince Albert Celtics 1:0 Friday at the Soccer Centre to advance to the quarterfinals of the U-14 Cup of the 2012 National Club Championships.
“It means so much because all the hard work from practices and all the time spent on fitness are paying off right now,” said Burlington striker Stephanie Skoularicos, who scored the game winner.
The Bayhawks will now face South Fraser (BC) Saturday at 11.30 local time at the Hershey Centre and if Friday’s game against the Celtics is any indication, Burlington can play any style and emerge with a victory.
In the 58th minute, Lauren Raimondo’s shot was stopped by Prince Albert goalkeeper Kaitlyn Thorimbert but Skoularicos pounced on the rebound and put it into the back of the net.
“(Saskatchewan’s) a very strong team and they’re a very physical team and they took it to us hard in the first half,” Colarossi said. “We settled down and played better in the second half. We kept possession of the ball more and we were able to finish on the opportunity we had.”
For Celtics head coach Dale Mcfee, the match proved his team is able to battle with the best in the tournament.
“It was a pretty physical game and we did well on both sides of the field,” he said. “We played much better today than we did in our first performance. They’re the best team in Ontario and we’re not far away and the girls need to remember it.”
In their quarterfinals matchup, the Raiders will face the PTSC Fusion (MB) Saturday at the Hershey Centre at 11.30 local time (on a different field) and Mcfee says his team must rediscover its scoring ways.
“We scored 69 goals in 13 games (in the Premier Soccer League) and we haven’t found the net yet,” he said. “It’s a different pace. It’s a little more physical. We’re getting the chances, we’ve just got to find the back of the net here.”
Other results:
Armada Chaudiere-EST (QC) defeated Mount Pearl Stingers (NL) 3:1
PTSC Fusion (MB) won 2:1 over South Fraser (BC)
SWU Premiers (AB) defeated Halifax County United (NS) 2:1