A grand run toward the provincial final concluded with a silver medal for one Ponoka Storm team.
The U18 girls squad showed up for the Tier IV rural provincial final July 9 in Camrose and wound up running head long into a strong Edson Strikers club, eventually falling 3-0.
“The girls fought hard, but Edson really attacked hard and were beating the girls to the ball often,” explained manager Shawna Pearman.
“The game could easily have remained 1-0. It was that even, for the most part, as Edson scored a couple of goals late in the contest.”
Pearman added the girls played well all weekend and while the loss is disappointing, everyone should hold their heads high about their performance.
“I think it’s easier to win the bronze because it feels like you lost the gold instead of winning silver. I’m very proud of the girls and what they did this weekend and during the season,” she said.
The Storm made the final by finishing first in their round robin pool with 1-0 victories over Bonnyville and Carstairs respectively.
Pearman’s husband Myron had to fill in as head coach for the provincial championship as Lonny Behm was away. However, Shawna said it was like Lonny was there with them anyway.
“Lonny was texting me during the entire (final) game and was also on the phone with my husband a few times as well,” she said.
“He also stayed in touch during the other games, so really, it was like he was there with us the whole weekend.”
Behm was pleased to have been a part of such an excellent group the past two seasons.
“We had a great season as league champions, CASA (Central Alberta Soccer Association) champions and provincial silver medalists,” he stated.
“For our season as a whole, we had a fantastic group of girls who competed every game and had the most outstanding attitudes. For the past two years, these girls had a 23-5-4 record along with a gold and silver in league, two CASA championships and a gold and silver at the provincial championship. Thanks for the support.”