Ponoka Storm sent two U12 teams to the Indoor Soccer Provincials on March 15 to 17 in Calgary for the first time in Ponoka Soccer history.
Midfielder Emma Bendera got the Storm’s first goal in indoor provincials with a 130-foot header that one-hopped into the goal against the Calgary MSB Timberwolves, giving Ponoka an early 1-0 lead. Calgary responded with two quick goals to lead 2-1 at the half. Ten minutes into the second half, Ponoka Storm midfielder Annika Ricalton tied the game. Strong defensive play from the entire team and great goalkeeping by Floor Oosterink and Tatianna Landsman in the second half preserved a 2-2 tie, Ponoka’s first point in indoor provincials.
On March 16, the girls earned their first win, a 4-2 decision over the Ardrossan Panthers. Leah Jensen scored twice with Annika Ricalton and Maddison Smallman notching singles. Ponoka’s defensive pairing of Mina Shin and Billie Menssa turned in a stellar performance after Ariana Ahtila left the game with a knee injury. Savannah Wirchenko and Zoe Pitre had their best game of the year on offense.
In their second game of the day, Ponoka lost to the eventual tournament winners, Edmonton McLeod Royals, 7-2. Emma Bendera was credited with both goals. The lost was costly as Emma Bendera (knee and ankle), Annika Ricalton (foot), Zoe Pitre (chest contusion) and Mina Shin (back) did not finish the game because of injuries. Bendera was out for the tournament.
After the round robin, Ponoka was 1-1-1 with four points, tied for second with Calgary MSB Timberwolves. Ponoka finished third based on goal differential and was relegated to the 5-6 game on March 17. With an injury-depleted line up, the Storm put in a great effort in an 8-1 loss to the Edmonton Terwillegar club. Haylee Wiebe was the star of the game with an assist on a Leah Jensen goal that gave Ponoka a 1-0 lead, and shutting down Edmonton’s top scorer. Edmonton dominated the depleted lineup for the rest of the game.
Boys face tough match-ups
The boys had two tough games against Edmonton’s first-place club and Grasslands 1, the eventual tournament winners, losing both.
In their third game, on March 17, Ethan Wakelin opened the scoring on a penalty kick but Cold Lake tied the game at the end of the first half. Cold Lake went on to score three second-half goals for a 4-1 win. It was a great team effort and the boys should be proud of their efforts. Will Wareham was fantastic in goal.
The sixth-place finish was Central Alberta Soccer Association’s best placing at the U12 level this year. The Camrose boys were eighth in their division and Ponoka Storm boys were 12th. Ponoka’s accomplishments cannot be overstated; they competed against clubs that played in full-sized indoor pitches for over six years, while the Ponoka teams practice in a hospital gym. Otherwise the teams built their skills on an indoor pitch by playing monthly games in Camrose against Lacombe, Camrose and each other.
What a fantastic finish to an awesome season. The kids had fun and going to provincials will be a memory that they will never forget.
— SUBMITTED