ADAM JACKSON/Ponoka News
If they can build on their recent success, the rest of the season is going to be a breeze for the Ponoka U18 girls soccer team.
The girls attended the annual Icebreaker Tournament for the Central Alberta Soccer Association in Lacombe on May 7 and 8 and took home silver medals. Although it was their first tournament of the season, the team is now looking forward to the rest of the season.
“Well, you never count your chickens before they hatch,” said head coach Myron Pearman. “But if they continue to work hard like they have, the results will follow.”
During the tournament, the Ponoka Fusion tied their first game 0-0 against Lacombe #1, won their second game 2-0 over Rocky Mountain House, but just couldn’t get it done in the finals against Lacombe #2, losing 1-0.
“It was a disappointing loss,” said Deanna Henderson, who has been on the team for many years.
The team, which is a mixture of U16 and U18 girls, definitely has team chemistry on their side. Most of the players have played together before, with the exception of two ‘fresh faces.’
“This is a positive group of girls,” said Henderson.
“There are good leaders on this team that encourage everybody.”
After the tournament on May 9, the girls played their first game of the regular season with a 5-2 win over Stettler. But, just two days later, they failed to capitalize on many scoring opportunities and lost 1-0 on home turf against Lacombe #1.
The group of 17 girls will go on to play 10 regular season games in May and June, with a tournament in Camrose on June 10 to 12 and a provincial qualifying tournament on June 25 and 26, also in Camrose.