U15 Girls CAIS Tournament 2018

Last week, the CAIS U15 girls headed to Dalhousie University in Halifax for the national CAIS U15 tournament. Read Coach Ali Doerksen’s account of the tournament below! Day 1While you were all still snuggled in your bed, our girls took to the turf at 8:30 a.m. local time (4:30 a.m. PST), in weather that can only be described as what I would assume a monsoon would feel like. We were taking on 3rd-ranked Branksome Hall. It was a fairly equal and balanced game, BHS arguably being the stronger team in the first half and GNS being the stronger team in the second half. The girls played some impressive soccer in their first game together as a team. Unfortunately, in the last couple of minutes Branksome scored and went on to win 1-0. Aoife and Sienna were named players of the game, but it truly was a great team effort. After retreating to a changeroom to take refuge from the rain, we handed our socks and uniforms to the Dalhousie Athletics Department to put in their industrial driers and headed for a pizza lunch at Armbrae Academy. Between the pizza, the black room that we ate lunch in, the time zone change, and the unfavourable weather, Game 2 was not exactly our best. Although we were the more skilled team, we played tired and a bit scattered. Unfortunately, ECS (Miss Edgar and Miss Cramps School) scored the only goal of the game after a questionable PK was awarded with only 7 minutes left. Final score: ECS 1–0 GNS. Lousia and Faye were named our Players of the Game. Determined to battle back after what we all felt was a rather undeserving loss, our team quickly got up one goal against Armbrae Academy after Ella scored within the first five minutes of the game. Armbrae was able to tie it up. Only a few minutes before half time, Makena scored a beautiful goal from 35 yards out, only to have it called off with a controversial offside call. I think it’s fair to say that although Armbrae had a few opportunities – including one breakaway that required Hannah to make a diving save to keep the game tied – GNS controlled the game and was the better team. In the end we had 25 shots on net, hit one crossbar, and had chance after chance, but we couldn’t find the back of the net for a second time. The game ended in a 1-1 tie. Abby, Faye and Ella were named our Players of the Game. We will end in 4th place in our pool, which takes us out of the running for the Championship Banner. However, with a strong performance tomorrow we can still battle for the Consolation Banner. After Friday’s games we headed back to the hotel, some for the pool, some for ice baths, and some to relax. Day 2 Today the girls had a phenomenal day on the pitch! For Game 1 vs the Study, he girls came out fired up and ready to prove that yesterday’s results were not indicative of the strength of our team. It was a great offensive game and we got on the score sheet in the first few minutes of the game. We saw lots of skilled passing, beautiful crossing, through passes and a strong team performance. Final score 4-0 for us. Goals: Taylor, Ella, Abby, Taylor. Players of the Game: Taylor and Paulina. Game 2 against King Edward School was a great possession game. We controlled the majority of the play and our skill shone through again. In the end, we came out with a solid 1-0 win. Goal: Taylor. Players of the Game: Makena and Louisa In Game 3, our girls continued to dominate on the field against Country Day School, another very physical team. They showed some impressive touch and passing. A now very connected and cohesive team, the girls kept their composure and were able to keep CDS off the score sheet, pocketing four goals over the entire game. This was the best game of the tournament for many players. The team is really coming together! Final score 4-0 for us. Goals: Ella, Makena, Ella, Sienna. Players of the Game: Faye and Sienna Riya, Aoife, and Louisa held strong on the defensive end throughout the tournament, but especially in all three games on day 2. Day 3 In the first game of the day against Lower Canada College, the girls started off strong and controlled play for first 15 minutes of the half. We drummed up a few great opportunities including a clear breakaway, but were unable to net the ball.Against the flow of play, an unfortunate goal was scored by LCC on a low and hard outside shot. They followed that up with a second goal 10 minutes into the second half; a beautiful shot from outside of the box to the top corner. Our girls rallied and pushed hard to get a goal. After missing a previous breakaway opportunity, Taylor fought back and scored the next time she had the chance. With only five minutes remaining and a must score situation, LCC scored one more time with only a minute left. Final score LCC 3–1 GNS. Players of the Game: Hannah, Ella and Makena. Seven games in three days, and only 13 players! These girls—this team—have a lot to be proud of. Throughout this trip, they represented GNS with pride. We received many compliments on our girls’ maturity, sportsmanship and politeness. Tassy, Caleigh and myself couldn’t be more proud of their performance both on and off the field.