Spartans Senior Girls Soccer 2007

October 29, 2007: Season’s End

Heads held high in the rain

Amidst some of the worst soccer weather possible, the Red & White travelled to Alexander Galt on the last day of the season to see if they could bring home the ETIAC Playoff Championship Trophy. Having already earned the coveted league banner, running the table on this day (semi-finals at 12:30 p.m., finals at 3:30 p.m.) would cap off a remarkable season for this impressive group of players.

Field conditions for the semi against BCS were marginal at best, and it took a while for the Spartans to adjust. The first 20 minutes were evenly contested despite Stanstead having the more talented team on paper. However, the soccer gods, as fickle as ever, provided us with a 1-0 lead when a Lindsay Smith clearance from centre bounced crazily over the Crusader keeper and skidded into the net! What phenomenal luck! Not only was this goal from our central defender the gift of all gifts, but afterwards the floodgates truly opened up. On another successful Williams set play, Juliet Numfor gave us a two-goal lead five minutes later, followed soon after by Andrea Dumas finding the net on a scramble.

The second half saw more of the same, with Krista Blackned finishing on yet another scramble (is there any other way to score on a field that is completely drenched?) and Numfor adding one more before game’s end. A convincing 5-0 win in adverse weather over a solid opponent, what a great way to earn a trip to the finals! And who would we face there for the playoff trophy? None other than powerhouse Galt, who had beaten MVR 4-0 in the other semi. Galt, who despite losing the banner to us one week earlier, had still beaten us 3 out of 4 meetings this year.

Unfortunately, the pitch had become so flooded by 3:30 p.m. that there was very little soccer played in this ultimate game. No dribbling. No passing. No set plays. Just an endless series of players gamely striving to kick the ball out of 4 inches of water. It resembled toddlers playing in puddles. Somehow the Pipers had managed to score two goals early in the game before the conditions became completely unplayable (kudos to them), and this proved insurmountable in the second half where the most impressive play of all was managing to clear the ball 30 yards from one swimming pool to the next, where the ridiculous puddle-kicking would resume once more. The game ended 2-0, but it is a testament to the players on both sides of the ball that not a single one of you gave up. Weather be damned, you left it all on that sodden, soggy excuse of a field. It was your last game, and you played like it was your last game. You should hold your heads high, and be proud.

Less than two months ago, 19 girls marched out to the far soccer field for their first practice. Under bright September sunshine they started their first drill of the year, on a field still without lines, passing to players whose names they did not yet know.

And now? Fast forward to November 7, Athletic Assembly. Nineteen girls all sitting together in Pierce Hall; expectations exceeded, goals realized, league title won, memories made, friendships formed. And most importantly, a sense of team that was not there eight short weeks ago. No one can ever take away your accomplishments this season, girls. The history that was made, you made it. No one else.

Thank you for everything.

- Coach Van Dyke

Spartans! What is your profession?!

Season Statistics

12 wins 7 losses 3 ties

Finalists of the Nancy Brown Invitational Tournament

11 th place finish at C.A.I.S. out of 20 teams (2-2-1 record)

ETIAC LEAGUE CHAMPIONS (Record: 6-1-1)

Goals for: 45 Goals against: 20

Number of Shutouts: 10

Leading goal-scorers (note that there are 12 different goal scorers this year): Numfor (17), Dumas (14), Donaldson (3), Goodleaf (2), Blackned (2), Osei (1), Castro (1), Cormier (1), Montour (1), MacIsaac (1), White (1), Smith (1).

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Wednesday, October 24

History in the making

The 2007 edition of Senior Girls Soccer Spartans had a chance to make history. With a win or a tie versus perennial powerhouse Alexander Galt, the Spartans would finish first in the ETIAC and win the League Championship Banner. The last time Stanstead College won the banner was 1984, 23 years ago. That, friends and neighbours, is a long time ago.

We had lost all three of our previous games against Galt, the third defeat an emphatic 3-0 shutout on our home field. Plainly stated, the Pipers are a stronger team than us. Faster. More experienced. Deeper. Going into this pivotal game, we were underdogs.

Our game plan was to slow the game down. Tuck inside as a unit on defence, keep the ball on the outside, bend but not break. It was an ugly game plan, but all we needed was a tie to win the banner.

And the game was, indeed, ugly. Galt had the majority of play throughout the entire first half, as the Spartans had to defend no less than four corner kicks and three direct kicks from just outside the box. It is a credit to all defenders and midfielders that these dangerous plays resulted in no real close chances. In fact, two of the direct kicks were blocked by our wall, a real sign of focused team defence. Kudos also go to Taylor Cote, whose tenacious man-to-man coverage of the Pipers’ most dangerous striker was crucial to our system. All in all, the defence-at-all-costs game plan worked for the first 40 minutes, as the game was scoreless at halftime.

The second half was much like the first: ugly and boring, exactly what we wanted. Until the last ten minutes, that is, where things got real interesting. Galt started pressing forward for all they were worth. They knew that if they scored a goal they would win the ETIAC for the umpteenth time. And at the exact same time that Galt started pressing, Stanstead started running out of gas. Suddenly we were losing 50/50 balls, swinging and missing on clearing attempts, and losing our defensive shape. Defenders stopped following the play, and midfielders couldn’t track back in time, leaving, with seven minutes remaining, one of the worst scenarios possible: Taylor Cote trying to defend Galt’s best striker at the top of our 18 without defensive support. However, with a truly remarkable effort, Cote somehow stayed with her mark and forced the ball out of bounds, all without fouling. What an effort!

But it wasn’t over, not by a long shot. With five minutes remaining the Pipers win another corner kick. They pump the ball into the box, keeper Melissa Gilpin gets a hand on it, a mad scramble ensues, the ball is chipped over Gilpin, and it hits the crossbar! Not only hits the bar, but then drops down on the edge of the 6-yard box, right to a Galt forward, who somehow blunders her first touch and loses the ball past the side of the net! Unbelievably lucky for the Red & White. On such plays are championships won and lost.

Then, with one minute remaining in the game, Juliet Numfor makes a penetrating run off of an Andrea Dumas through ball, and forces a Galt handball at the top of their box. What follows will forevermore be called The Play. Both Monika Cormier and Dumas stand over the ball, and in a perfectly executed Williams set play, Numfor scores low far post to take a 1-0 lead! The team erupts with joy. The players mob each other. Galt hustles the ball to center to restart. But before they can the final whistle blows! Stanstead has done it! We answered the challenge and beat Galt when we really, really had to, bringing the ETIAC Banner home for the first time since 1984!

What a game.

What a performance.

What a season.

You know!!

Season Statistics
11 wins 6 losses 3 ties
ETIAC CHAMPIONS (Record: 6-1-1)
Goals for: 40
Goals against: 18

Coach Van Dyke

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Wednesday, October 17

Not yet...

This was a day unlike any other in the recent history of senior girls soccer. If we could tough out a win versus our perennial arch-rivals BCS on their home field, we would clinch the ETIAC Regular Season Banner for the first time in at least 20 years.

All day the players were psyched. Jumpy. Full of nervous energy. But the moment we stepped onto the field of play to start warming up, I could see the nervousness start turning into confidence. The weather was perfect. The pitch, although small, was in good shape. Our fate was in our own hands. We were not going to play to “not lose.” We were going to play to win.

The game started tentatively, as Stanstead became accustomed to the close confines of the tiny field. But as the game wore on, the Spartans started to dominate. Long periods of play saw the Crusaders hemmed into their own end as the Red & White pushed and probed towards goal. The BCS defense handled the pressure well for the first 40 minutes, except for one glorious opportunity that Stanstead should have finished from very close in. Halftime score 0-0.

The final 40 saw more of the same. Until midway through Juliet Numfor found herself on one of her three breakaways of the afternoon, shed her defender, and coolly launched a laser toward the low right corner. And somehow the keeper saved it! World class save, truly extraordinary. In fact, the only play more impressive came a mere 10 minutes later, WHEN SHE DID IT AGAIN! Andrea Dumas just rips a shot from 18 yards out, top left corner, no spin, and the goalie launches herself and gets both hands on the ball somehow. Just a ridiculous save. The best I’ve seen in a long time.

In any case, that was as close as we would come. Despite solid pressure and most of the ball, Bishop’s weathered the storm and drew us 0-0. Which guarantees us nothing in terms of the ETIAC League Banner. We will have to play our very best against Galt next Wednesday if we want to make some history.

Season Statistics
10 wins 6 losses 3 ties
ETIAC Record: 5-1-1
Goals for: 39
Goals against: 18

- Coach Van Dyke

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CAIS National Tournament in Montreal Oct. 12-14

The CAIS National Tournament is always one of the highlights of the soccer season, and 2007 would be no exception. We came in with confidence and a healthy desire to find out “just how good we are... really.”

Our first round-robin game pitted us against perennial powers LCC from Montreal, who we had not beaten in years, and who were ranked second in our four-team pool. However, the Lions were not as strong as in years past, and the 2007 Spartans dominated this game from the opening whistle. After 10 minutes of solid play we knew this game was ours. But the soccer gods are fickle, and despite 85 percent of the ball and several quality chances it was still scoreless at halftime. The second half continued in the same vein, until finally our pressure caught the LCC keeper out of position, and Helen White (called up from the junior ranks just for this tournament) coolly knocked in a long rebound for the Spartans’ first goal of the tournament.

However, five minutes later, on a rare foray inside our 18, the referee awarded LCC a penalty shot on a phantom call! Unbelievably it was 1-1 with 15 minutes to play. And then more disaster struck, as yet another desperate defensive clear from the Lions’ back line flew over our heads, bounced well for them, we then misplayed it, and then somehow the ball was in the back of our net! The final 15 minutes featured a furious push to tie the game, but it was not to be. In the end, terrible field conditions, poor refereeing, and some very bad luck amounted to a devastating 2-1 loss, a result that would ultimately cost the Red & White a shot at finishing in the Gold Division (the top eight teams) of CAIS 2007. Needless to say the players (as well as the coach) were inconsolable after this game.

Our next game was against the top-ranked team in our pool, the Country Day School from Toronto. Somehow we needed to regroup and try to forget the LCC catastrophe. And it is a testament to the Spartans that they did regroup, playing a nearly flawless game against a very talented side. This match was basically played between the 18-yard boxes, as neither squad could penetrate the other’s back line. Special mention should go to Lindsay Smith, Charlene McKinnon and captain Victoria MacIsaac who played 70 minutes of textbook defence, keeping CDS wide and far, allowing only long shots that Melissa Gilpin easily corralled. Offensively we won several direct kicks from just outside the box, but couldn’t convert past the solid Country Day keeper. The match finished in a 0-0 draw, with mutual respect earned by both teams.

Earning only one point in our first two games made our Saturday morning match vs Armbrae Academy (Halifax) a must-win, or we would play in the bottom-four Bronze Division for the remainder of the weekend. A win would put us in the middle-eight Silver Division. The game started sluggishly, as Stanstead showed little fire throughout the first half. Poor communication, hesitation, flat-footedness -- it was our worst 35 minutes of the tournament, but Andrea Dumas bailed us out with two individual efforts that resulted in a 2-0 lead. And when Juliet Numfor clinically finished on a breakaway just before halftime, the game was virtually decided, despite our uninspiring play. However, the second half was much better, and produced excellent possession and team shape. Armbrae rarely touched the ball, and the Red & White were rewarded with another goal when Krista Blackned volleyed home a corner kick with her knee. What a goal! This 4-0 win provided for us a clear objective: try to win the Silver Division Championship, which would not be too shabby considering the depth of the field this year. But we would have to win three more games in a row to do it…

The quarterfinals of the Silver Division saw us face off against ECS from Montreal. They were tough, and they were fast. It was a hard-fought game the entire time, with neither team giving any quarter. The sole advantage we had was a little more talent up front, which enabled us to create three glorious scoring opportunities compared to their one scoring chance. And of the three, Juliet Numfor converted on one of them, sending a topspin rocket off of a bouncing ball under the bar from 25 yards out. Bee-yoo-tiful strike! 1-0 final score. And kudos to the defensive corps for recording their third straight shutout of the tournament!

Sunday morning. Semifinal game vs Sacred Heart School of Montreal, one of the strongest teams in the tournament, probably top three; tough in midfield, very solid at the back, and dangerous up front. Talented at every position. A very tough pool and an unlucky loss had dropped them into the Silver Division, and we would have to go through them to reach the Silver Finals. The game started with pinpoint passing from our opponents creating an early chance, that fortunately (for us) missed over the bar. And the possession didn’t stop there, as the Spartans found themselves chasing the ball on many an occasion. However, as our defence became accustomed to the skill level of our opponent, their chances dwindled. In midfield we continued to chase a little too much, but defensively we limited them to crosses and shots from distance. But then a loose play conceded a corner kick, and a mad scramble inside the 6-yard box resulted in the ball barely crossing our goal line. Down 1-0 at halftime.

The second half saw slightly more offensive pressure from Stanstead, as we pushed for the equalizer. And then, with barely two minutes left in the game we won our own corner kick. Dumas and Numfor quickly come out of the corner… Numfor fires a low shot… a mad scramble ensues… the ball gets behind the keeper (!) who, lying on the ground, reaches back and just…manages…to snag the ball before it crosses the line. The final whistle blows a minute later, and the Stanstead Spartans are out of the tournament.

However, all in all, it was a very successful weekend for the players, who worked extremely hard, and who played nine solid halves of soccer out of a possible 10. Hopefully this experience will help us as we return to ETIAC play, where we have a legitimate chance to finish first and win the League Banner (for the first time in at least 15 years). Two more wins, girls! Two more wins!

Season Statistics
10 wins 6 losses 2 ties
ETIAC Record: 5-1
Goals for: 39
Goals against: 18

- Coach Van Dyke

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Wednesday, October 10

Richmond game shows good team effort

After a much-deserved eight-day break, the Spartans returned to action with an away League game versus the Richmond Raiders. Given the one-sided nature of the first meeting, we were hoping for a more competitive match that would help prepare us for the upcoming national CAIS Tournament. Fortunately, it was more competitive, as Richmond fielded a complete 11 players, their coach was present this time, the small field ensured that possession would be more difficult than on our home turf, AND we were missing three starters, including our goalie. It would require more of a team effort to secure this victory, and a team effort we got.

Olivia Demerchant gamely took on keeper duties, Gabrielle Archer and Tania Laroche helped platoon on defence, and Jimena Castro subbed in at striker. Shaylyn Goodleaf and Karley Donaldson had strong games, notching two goals apiece, and Juliet Numfor and Andrea Dumas rounded out the scoring with a goal and a hat trick respectively. All in all it was an enjoyable team performance, hopefully paving the way for a successful CAIS Tournament.

Season Statistics
8 wins 4 losses 1 tie
ETIAC Record: 5-1
Goals for: 33
Goals against: 15

- Coach Van Dyke

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Tuesday, October 2

Hello, soccer gods? You there?

The first time we faced MVR we dominated in a 1-0 win. The next time they outplayed us, although we still escaped with a 1-0 overtime victory in the Nancy Brown. How would the Vikings come out this time? And more importantly, how would we? Because right before Break is historically when varsity teams are at their most tired. Five challenging weeks have passed since Opening Day, and as I watched us warm up I could clearly see the fatigue and the niggling injuries affecting the players. We had no bounce, no energy, no verve.

But apparently we still had talent and intelligence, because we dominated this game from the opening whistle! A banged-up Massey squad had no answer for our best passing performance of the season. Monika Cormier, Andrea Dumas, Taylor Cote and Karley Donaldson put on a possession clinic, buzzing around and inside the 18, creating quality chances with inspired shielding, dribbling and passing. But we couldn’t hit the target, and then somehow, on a ridiculous, broken play we found ourselves losing 1-0.

But we’d been in this position before, and had often found a way to come back. The players battled on, suffering through several questionable calls and solid play from the MVR keeper, including the save-of-the-game on a Dumas header off a Juliet Numfor corner kick. And finally Numfor, sent in a clever through ball, outraced the speedy Viking sweeper and coolly finished low far post.

So did the floodgates finally open after this equalizer? Especially with several Massey starters forced to leave the pitch with injuries? Not really. Nothing bounced our way; nothing was called our way. Until the soccer gods answered our prayers when Numfor scored her second of the game with a lot of help from the foot of the Viking sweeper. 2-1 lead, and we hung on in the final 15 minutes for another critical ETIAC victory. Great job, team! Yesterday’s donuts were well-deserved!

Season Statistics
7 wins 4 losses 1 tie
ETIAC Record: 4-1
Goals for: 25
Goals against: 14

- Coach Van Dyke

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Saturday, September 29

Homecoming Game vs. BCS

The stage was impeccably set this past Saturday for a classic soccer game, as BCS was coming to town to take on the Spartans in front of a partisan Homecoming crowd. And not only was there pride at stake, every ETIAC game is vital, and this was our first League game vs. the Crusaders since our comeback 1-1 tie at the SIT.

After a good warm-up the Red & White came out flying. Crisp passing, midfield possession and a dangerous corner kick marked the first 10 minutes of the game. But Bishop’s settled down, and the match evened out until a Stanstead miscommunication left an on-rushing opposing defender alone with the ball at the top of the box. A well-struck shot went off our keeper’s hands, and we were down 1-0.

But it is a testament to the perseverance of this year’s team that they redoubled their efforts, and were rewarded when Andrea Dumas somehow laced a long shot under the bar and over the tall, athletic BCS goalie. This equalizer sparked the Spartans to more inspired midfield play, and very intelligent, steady defending, especially from young Charlene McKinnon who had moved up from junior just for this game to replace the injured Christine “Great Wall Of” Osei. Offensively there weren’t many holes, as the Crusaders’ central defender cleared many potentially dangerous balls away, but finally Juliet Numfor broke loose on a well-paced through ball, and finished clinically to go into halftime with a 2-1 lead.

The second half saw the Red & White applying the pressure for that all-important two-goal lead, but Bishop’s held strong and counterattacked well, even coming so close as to carom a close-in shot off the crossbar. Still 2-1. Then with 15 minutes left in the match Dumas sent Monika Cormier in on a set-piece, the BCS keeper was drawn off her line, Cormier sent the ball back across the box, and Numfor finished with a low left-footed shot to secure the hard-fought victory!

In the end, defensive responsibility from all players and opportunistic scoring made the difference against this capable and well-coached team. Next up is another difficult ETIAC League game, as MVR comes to our turf, hungry to avenge the 1-0 loss they suffered at our hands three weeks ago.

- Coach Van Dyke

Season Statistics
6 wins 4 losses 1 tie
ETIAC Record: 3-1
Goals for: 23
Goals against: 13

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Wednesday, September 26

Important loss against Galt

The Spartans hosted the league’s top team Wednesday, the Pipers from Alexander Galt. As we had played each other twice in the Nancy Brown the weekend before, there would be no real surprises. Both teams knew the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.

The game started well for both squads, with both teams intelligently focusing their attention on the other team’s top players. Play was relatively even, until Stanstead made their first mistake. Miscommunication between the keeper and her defenders resulted in a strange Galt goal, a left-footed volley from the top left corner of the box that travelled as high as it did far, and somehow dropped into the net.

Despite being down a goal the Red & White played a solid first half, with periods of excellent midfield possession and constant probing of the Piper defence. But the quick, athletic, strong Galt defenders met every offensive thrust with poise, generally keeping our dangerous Spartan attackers from making that one… last… move that would open up a lane or a hard shot on goal. The half ended 1-0, but the Stanstead side felt like they would break through in the second half.

However, it was not to be. The Piper defence bent but did not break, and then their famed counterattack produced a brilliant individual effort that ended in a breakaway goal. Stanstead opened up play after that and made one more push. But again Galt stood steadfast, and the Red & White started to tire. Galt started gaining more possession, the Spartans lost their shape due to fatigue, and before the game ended the Pipers scored one more on a corner kick. Final score 3-0, and kudos to Galt who played disciplined, mistake-free soccer for all 80 minutes.

This is a tough, important ETIAC League loss, and puts Galt in the driver’s seat for the Regular Season Banner. If we want to keep our hopes alive, we will have to bring everything we have this Saturday at 2:00 p.m., against perennial rivals BCS in our annual Homecoming game.

Season Statistics
5 wins 4 losses 1 tie
ETIAC Record: 2-1
Goals for: 20
Goals against: 12

Coach Van Dyke

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Saturday, September 22

Nancy Brown Invitational at Galt

The team travelled to Alexander Galt to participate in the 30th edition of the Nancy Brown Invitational Tournament. In my 14 years of coaching senior girls soccer, the best we’d ever finished at this event was second place.

In our first game we played perennial powerhouse Galt. On their home field yet. And when the Pipers scored on an impressive breakaway in the tenth minute, things could have snowballed badly from there. But this is a different team this year, with scoring potential and enough skill to possess the ball in midfield. After settling down defensively, we started taking the play to them, and with two minutes left in the half Andrea Dumas tucked a long shot under the crossbar to tie it up.

The second half saw the Spartans gain a slight territorial edge, while managing to withstand the ever-dangerous Galt counterattack. When a spirited second half ended 1-1, we went immediately to 5-on-5 overtime. The Red & White fielded Dumas, Taylor Cote, Christine Osei, Lindsay Smith and goaltender Melissa Gilpin. Despite some dangerous possession by Stanstead, Galt notched the winner on a beautiful left-footed strike from 25 yards out. However, this exciting 2-1 loss did not eliminate us from the tournament. It just made our task more difficult; we would have to win the next three games in a row to be crowned champions.

Second game of the day, against Andrew Johnson School from Thetford Mines. This was a well-played game for the Spartans, very disciplined. Despite some solid midfield play from Thetford, our defence did not give up any serious scoring chances all game. And offensively we did what we had to do. In the firts half, the Red & White took the lead on a beautiful set piece, with Victoria MacIsaac bending the ball over the wall and over the goalie from 28 yards away. And in the second half Juliet Numfor set up the GOTT (Goal Of The Tournament) when, from her own half of the field, she sent a ball into space deep into the offensive corner, chased it down herself, harassed the defender, stole the ball, dribbled along the AJS endline, then sent an impeccable ball across the 6-yard box that was finished by a perfectly positioned Karley Donaldson. Great goal! And great win!

That victory put us in the semis against ETIAC rival Massey-Vanier. Earlier in the week in league play, we had dominated them in a 1-0 win. Not so today. MVR played much tougher, especially at the back, and had the edge in play for most of the game. Stanstead was fortunate to finish the first 40 minutes in a scoreless tie, sending the game to another exciting 5-on-5 overtime period. But the result favoured the Spartans this time, as Dumas started with the ball at centre, cut right, fed a through ball to Numfor, who blasted a shot low far post, the Viking keeper made a miraculous foot save, the rebound went back to Numfor, who blasted again, and this time the ball found the back of the net for the win! The team rushed the field in the most exciting win of the year! Into the finals we went, to once again face Alexander Galt.

We had previously been to the finals of the Nancy Brown only once in my coaching career, and that in 2001, which already made today’s performance an impressive accomplishment. But we had played three hard-fought games in seven hours and had little gas left to challenge the Pipers. And when Galt scored in the opening minute on an exceptional individual effort, the writing was on the wall. However, the Spartans somehow found a way to rally, and actually controlled play for the latter part of the first half, coming close to earning the all-important equalizer. But we never got it, and the halftime score was 1-0 against. Galt scored again early in the second, and then the tank officially ran dry. The team was completely spent. But we hung on bravely for the rest of the game, which ended in a 2-0 loss. In the process I think we earned the respect of the mighty Pipers. Hopefully we can improve enough throughout the course of the season to give them a serious run for their money. That would not be a bad objective for the year. Not bad at all.

Season Statistics
5 wins 3 losses 1 tie
ETIAC Record: 2-0
Goals for: 20
Goals against: 9

Coach Van Dyke

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Wednesday, September 19

Persistence, persistence, persistence...

Senior girls soccer traveled to Cowansville this past Wednesday to play their second ETIAC League game of the year against Massey-Vanier Regional. Going into the game we knew it was going to be a stern test, not only because it is difficult to win on the Vikings’ home turf, but also due to the fact that MVR had beaten BCS 4 – 1 a day earlier (we barely tied BCS in our only meeting).

Nevertheless, once the opening whistle blew, it was all Stanstead. We dominated the first half with aggressive, smart defence and exceptional possession in the midfield from Monika Cormier and Andrea Dumas. We narrowly missed over the bar on one corner kick and hit the left post on another. We failed to convert on a breakaway and on several other close-in opportunities. The half ended scoreless, and truth be told we were wondering if this just wasn’t Stanstead’s day. Sometimes soccer is like that; no matter how well you are playing you can’t score, and you start to dread allowing a heartbreaking goal against the flow of play.

The second half started like the first, but as the game wore on we started to tire, despite an unexpected jolt of energy from new striker Karley Donaldson. Although the Vikings still couldn’t muster much of an attack through their midfield, the long punts from their goalkeeper caused us serious trouble. The hard field produced big bounces that would get over our back line, producing quick-strike opportunities for the hard-charging Blue & White forwards. Kudos to Victoria MacIsaac, Rita Montour, Lindsay Smith and Christine Osei for maintaining their composure and defensive shape throughout, and to Melissa Gilpin for her confidence in coming off her line.

Offensively, despite less of the ball and sloppier play, the Spartans still produced several glorious scoring opportunities in the final 40 minutes, including three more clear-cut breakaways. But we missed the net on two, and the Massey keeper made an impressive save on the other. With five minutes left, the Red & White made their final push. And finally, on another perfect through ball from Dumas, Juliet Numfor converted low far side with barely two minutes to go. A 1-0 victory with the clock winding down!

Congratulations to the entire team for a gutsy win! You never gave up, you played through the pain, and your persistence paid off with an important 3 points in the ETIAC League standings. Well done, team!

“Spartans! What is your profession?!”

Season Statistics
3 wins 1 loss 1 tie
ETIAC Record: 2-0

Goals for: 16
Goals against: 5

Coach Van Dyke

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Wednesday, September 12

Lopsided win against undermanned Richmond

The 2007 edition of senior girls soccer kicked off its season at home versus Richmond. Being the first game of the year we were looking forward to testing, and learning about, ourselves. Yes, several talented new players had joined the team this year. And yes, we had had good practices leading into this opening match. However, nothing reveals more than being tested in game situations. Unfortunately, the Raiders showed up with a paltry nine players, and no coach. Consequently the game was severely lopsided, with little being learned by either side. In fact, the only points of interest in this 11-0 win were that four different Spartans scored (Andrea Dumas 5, Juliet Numfor 4, Christine Osei and Jimena Castro one each), and that kudos should go out to the Richmond players for maintaining their competitiveness throughout the match and never giving up. Hopefully they can field an entire squad next time.

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Saturday, September 15

Girls have work cut out for them at home Invitational

This year’s Stanstead Invitational Tournament featured six teams and produced the most competitive soccer in recent memory. Of the nine games played, no less than seven were spirited contests.

In our first game we had a tough draw: two-time defending champions Sacred Heart. Always technically proficient, the Saints would definitely expose any and all early-season weaknesses. And after we allowed an early goal through miscommunication, things could have gone downhill in a hurry. But this is a different team this year. We responded 15 minutes later when defensive midfielder Monika Cormier tucked one under the crossbar from 25 yards out.

But a breakdown in our defensive shape led to a second Sacred Heart goal, which was soon followed by an unlucky third goal that squirted off the wet grass into the short side. We went into halftime down 3-1, but truth be told this game was closer than the score, and we still felt we could come back and win.

Well, we didn’t win, but we played the Saints to a draw in the second half, and even held a slight possession and territorial advantage for those 30 minutes. In the end we learned a great deal about ourselves during this lively game, and felt good about our chances for the rest of the day.

We played our next match immediately afterwards, versus a solid squad from The Study, and we were tired. And when our keeper Melissa Gilpin sprained her ankle midway through the first half, forcing outside midfielder Taylor Cote into emergency goaltending duty, it was obvious that things were not going well. But Cote held tough in nets, the defence tightened up, and then the Spartans scored an impressive goal: Andrea Dumas sent a perfectly paced through ball to Juliet Numfor who, with only a half-step on the speedy Study sweeper, proceeded to laser a shot into the top left corner from 25 yards out while moving away from the net. Pretty, J .

In the second half Dumas added to the lead with another shot from outside the box, and from that point on it was hanging-on-by-the-fingernails time. The last 10 minutes of the game were a study in panic and fatigue, and we were fortunate to escape with a 2-1 win.

Our third match against our BCS rivals was the game of the day. The Crusaders owned the first half and were rewarded with a goal when they cleverly quick-passed a direct kick from just outside the box to an open striker, who buried the ball past our second emergency keeper of the day, Olivia Demerchant.

Dumas almost tied it on a set piece, but the BCS goaltender made a spectacular save, deflecting the ball away from the top right corner. The half finished 1-0 against, but the halftime speech and adjustments must have hit a nerve, because the Spartans came out flying in the second half. Victoria MacIsaac, Christine Osei and Lindsay Smith played lockdown defence, closing down the seams, and even playing out of the back a few times; Monika Cormier and Andrea Dumas dominated in the midfield; Numfor gave the Crusader sweeper fits with her speed and power; Taylor Cote moved forward with purpose; Maria Roel was a ballhawk; and Krista Blackned and Rita Montour were tireless.

With both teams going full-out and both sidelines yelling instructions the entire time, the atmosphere was electric. And finally, after several near misses and great saves, including a missed penalty shot, Rita Montour framed the net perfectly on a Numfor shot that struck the left post, and banged home the rebound. The game finished 1-1, and the players should be very proud of how they came back against a quality opponent. Tired and hobbling in the last 30 minutes of a long tournament, the Spartans truly showed their mettle.

Congratulations to Sacred Heart on winning this tournament for a third consecutive year.

Next game, this Wednesday, important ETIAC League game versus Massey Vanier. I can’t wait.

- Coach Van Dyke

Season Statistics
2 wins 1 loss 1 tie

ETIAC Record: 1-0

Goals for: 15
Goals against: 5

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