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Kodiaks begin quest for B.C. soccer gold |
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Written by JASON PETERS
Citizen staff
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Wednesday, 02 July 2008 |
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The Under-13 Kodiaks will try to offer up proof when they host the B.C. Soccer Association ‘A’ Cup provincial championship tournament, today through Sunday at Rotary Fields.
The Kodiaks, a girls team from the Prince George Youth Soccer Association, play their first provincial game at 10 a.m. today against the Surrey Talons. Other teams in the tournament are the Langley Lightning and Semiahmoo Thunder.
Last season, the Kodiaks also competed in the ‘A’ provincials and ended up winning bronze medals. Against the team that grabbed gold - Semiahmoo - the Kodiaks lost just 3-1.
Given last year’s result, Kodiaks head coach Ian Wells is confident his team has a realistic shot at gold this time.
“We didn’t play our best soccer (at the 2007 provincials) and this year I think we will play our best soccer,” said Wells, whose staff is rounded out by assistant coaches Urban Samuelson and Andrew Warkentin and by manager Lisa Van Horlick-Williams.
“We’ve played higher-level competition this year and the girls have really benefited from the winter program they did. This is almost their third year together so I think we have a legitimate chance. But the teams from Vancouver are super-strong, there’s no doubt.”
During the winter months, the Kodiaks made full use of the indoor soccer pitches at the Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre, a facility that opened its doors last September.
“From November until now they’ve trained,” Wells said. “They’ve been very consistent - two nights a week, all 15 together. So that’s been a huge plus.”
At the B.C. championship tournament, the Kodiaks will face Langley at noon on Friday and will take on Semiahmoo at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The first- and second-place teams will meet in the gold-medal game Sunday at noon. The other two clubs will play for bronze Sunday at 10 a.m.
One of the strengths of the Kodiaks this season has been defence. They haven’t surrendered many goals - only seven all year, according to Wells. In front of goalkeeper Chelsey Cherkas, the defenders are Morgan Samuelson, Emma Balazs, Tianna Pius, Emily Warkentin, Fiona Raymond and Madison Emmond.
“They’re very effective as a group,” Wells said. “They use great teamwork, they’re physical and play the ball around nicely in the backline to our midfield.”
In that midfield, the Kodiaks rely on the talents of Genevieve Williams, Megan Auld, Alix Wells and Jessica Erickson.
“They’re great at breaking up the other team’s attack and starting our attack,” coach Wells said. “They are basically the engine of the team.”
Up front, Merissa Sigfusson, Liza Cupp, Tianna Rossi and Brooklyn Derksen typically take care of the goal production for the Kodiaks.
“They all do the job for us,” Ian Wells said. “They’re smart players, they create opportunities for the midfield and put pressure on the opposing team with their attacking ability, with their speed and aggressiveness.”
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 July 2008 )
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