Nelson U14 Girls strike gold at 2012 Sam Steele tournament
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The hottest team in Nelson Youth Rep Soccer continues to roll over Kootenay opposition.
The Nelson Selects rolled to the gold medal at the U14 Girl’s 2012 Sam Steele tournament Sunday in Cranbrook.
Nelson won the gold medal by stopping West Kootenay rival Kootenay South 4-0 in the tourney final.
“Again (Pat and I) were impressed by the skill and passion of the squad,” said co-coach Paul Burkart.
“Running short a few defenders and with several others playing injured, players were asked to play in positions that they normally did not play and did so admirably — allowing only a single goal in the four games.”
The Gold Medal match was a spirited affair with exciting end-to-end action in the first half.
Early in the second half, Naomi Perkins broke the deadlock with an absolute bullet to the top corner of the Kootenay South net from a free kick from outside of the penalty area.
Bronwyn Sutherland scored five minutes later and Voisard added a single near the end of the game to give Nelson a 3 – 0 lead.
Nelson opened the tournament scoring a 3-0 decision over host East Kootenay Rovers.
Emily Graeme found the back of the net at the 20th minute to give Nelson a 1 – 0 lead that would hold to the break.
Nelson continued to attack and was rewarded by second half goals from Lakpa Dietz and Allie Zondervan.
Nelson wrapped up the pool title by edging out Canmore Avalanche 4-1.
Bronwyn Sutherland opened the scoring, which was followed quickly with a score by Merissa Dawson to put Nelson in front 2 – 0.
Canmore countered with a late first half goal to make the score 2 – 1 for Nelson at the half. The marker was the first allowed by the Nelson squad in six games.
The Selects came out strong after the break, with Perkins scoring six minutes into the half followed by a second goal from Sutherland two minutes later.
In semi-final action on Sunday morning, Nelson continued its defensive superiority over Kootenay competition by shutting out the Creston Blitz 4-0.
Perkins, with a pair, Voisard and Dietz scored for the Selects.
The Reps now prepare for the B.C. Soccer Provincial B Cup July 5-8 in Kelowna.
