Windham U13 Girls Wins Second
Straight Challenge Cup
Windham Youth Soccer - Travel
November 2, 2009
By
Grant Maines
Pictured left to right: Bottom Row—
Lauren Maines, Lauren Reynolds,
Alana Dube, Jordan Sargent, Lizzy
Smith, Jenna Soucy, Luisa Sbardella,
Julia Richardson, Melissa Morton,
Randi Jipson
Top
Row: Coach Ernie Valente, Macy
Manette, Mikayla Cook, Shannon
Valente, Cassie Symonds, Elizabeth
Mycock, Coach Grant Maines, Hannah
Haskell
On Sunday, November
1st, the Windham U13 Girls successfully defended
their title as Challenge Cup state champions.
This day was the
emotional culmination of a season of hard work and
excellent team play and week of questionable health
after the flu sidelined a player during the
preliminary round of playoffs. Fortunately, this
player was cleared to play just in time for the
final two games. Unfortunately the flu was not done
and would sideline the team's goal keeper just as
they entered final day of playoffs.
The unseasonably warm
day started with a semi-final match against the
Waterville Novas team. Despite having the goal
keeper out with the flu, the team advanced to the
championship game with an 8-0 victory over their
opponent. The game was a demonstration in how to
control a game. The Windham team had a solid
defensive performance and frequently found the
Waterville goal with their shots.
With game one out of
the way, the team faced one last game to determine
the Challenge Cup winner for 2009. This opponent was
Saco, a team Windham knew well from earlier games in
the season. Windham struck early with a goal and
despite having more scoring opportunities throughout
the first half, clung to this slim lead until part
way through the second half when Saco scored on a
direct kick. The game remained tied through almost
the remainder of the game. Both teams fought hard
and defenses were tested. It was starting to look
like over-time when, with just under 30 seconds
remaining in the game, Windham found the back of the
net and took the lead for good. All that remained
was to hold on for the final few seconds.
All season long, the
Windham U13 Girls team demonstrated all of the
characteristics of a great team. They worked hard
every practice and game, supported each other,
adapted to challenges as players became injured or
ill, and were gracious in defeat and in victory.
Their success is well deserved and well earned.
|
2008
U12 Girls Challenge Cup State Champions
Read
Top Row L-R:
Hanna Haskell, Luisa Sbardella, Jordan Sargent,
Coach Ernie Valente, Melissa Morton, Lizzy Mycock,
Coach Gail Dyke, Lizzy Smith
Bottom Row L-R:
Shannon Valente, Cassie Symonds, Taylor Dyke, Lauren
Reynolds, Macy Manette, Julia Richardson, Alana Dube,
Lauren Maines
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