PONOKA NEWS STAFF
Last weekend was a big one for Ponoka Minor Soccer with all the teams except U16 girls taking on the challenge in provincial qualifiers in Lacombe to be able represent their zone in the provincials.
U16 girls team withdrew from the competition because of lack adequate number of players to commit for the full weekend.
U16 boys continued their onward march with no defeats over the weekend winning comfortably over all their opponents.
Head coach Gurjit Sandhu offered the following comments regarding the provincial qualifiers weekend:
“First game was 9 -1 win vs Wetaskiwin. Four goals from Markus (Baitinger), three from Jarret (Henderson) and two by Lewis (McDowell). This was a good game considering we conceded our first defeat on Thursday. But the boys reacted the way we wanted them to and put on a clinic to defeat a good team.
“In the 6-2 win over Camrose, two goals from Dillan (Bouma), two from Lewis (McDowell) and singles added by Jarret (Henderson) and Markus (Baitinger). Camrose came into this game very determined since winning meant they would clinch the right to represent CASA at provincials. We went behind twice in the game but we reacted the right way both times, worked hard and our talent level was too much for them in the end.
“3-1 win vs Lacombe. Goals came from Jarret (Henderson) Cameron (Walsh) and Zane (Fessler). At this point we had already won the right to go to provincials unless we had lost by a lot of goals. The boys were exhausted from the earlier game but they played well even after Lacombe took an early lead. We were calm and poised enough to get the lead and then protect it until the final whistle.
The goal was to get to provincials and win it since the beginning of the season, and now we're half way there. But now it's the hard part and everyone is extremely excited for the challenge.”
In other fixtures, the U14 girls won their first round robin match 6-0 over Stettler; then lost 3-2 to Camrose and 2-0 to Rimbey. They are playing a league semi-final playoff match tonight in Rocky. The winner will play in the final on Wednesday.
The U14 boys were in the “B” Side of the tournament – they lost all three of their round robin matches.
U12 boys won the top spot in their tier after both Innisfail and Blackfalds failed to show for their scheduled games and Ponoka boys only had to beat Rimbey 2-0 for the title.
The U12 girls Thunder played four games over the weekend winning two and losing two.
“They finished the season strong by just being beaten out to represent CASA at Tier 4 Provincials in Edson in July,“ said coach Cal David.
No comment was available from the coaching staff of U12 Lightning team.