Deliverance at the weekend that mattered the most
The weekend that mattered the most was upon us. A weekend where the five best women’s soccer teams from the BCCAA were welcomed to the Eagles nest in Surrey, British Columbia for the claiming of the provincial title 2010.
Kwantlen’s women’s soccer team maintained their title at the 2010 Provincials.
By Chelsea Jewell [contributor]
The weekend that mattered the most was upon us. A weekend where the five best women’s soccer teams from the BCCAA were welcomed to the Eagles nest in Surrey, British Columbia for the claiming of the provincial title 2010. Quest University, UBCO, Vancouver Island University, Langara College and home team, Kwantlen Polytechnic, were welcomed to the brand new turf to claim the prize of the gold medal and a trip to Edmonton for the national championships in November.
The Kwantlen Eagles were quickly approached by Quest University on the opening day, Fri. Oct. 29. With a quick start, the Eagles were up 1-0 in the opening nine minutes, with a goal scored by number 10, Shanay Sangha. This goal lead to an uproar in the crowd and sent the Eagles into action amidst a side by side game with rivals TRU and Langara College. With easy goals in both the 22 minute and 42 minute, the Eagles managed to walk off the pitch at half time with a three goal advantage.
Following a stern locker-room session, the Eagles approached the field with a mind set that there were no guarantees until the blow of the whistle in the ninetieth minute. With a fast paced, communicative field and passion up front, the Eagles sent Quest packing with a dominant five-to-nothing final.
With such a quick break with game one, the Eagles were over the top excited. With one game down, the next seemed that much more enticing. The Eagles were to face the VIU Mariners – those of which they had scraped by in regular season to tie the game in the eight-third minute. After hearing of VIU’s “ultimate plan” proclamation on the Island News, Kwantlen was ready to justify this claim on the soccer field. With precise decisions, a bright sunny day, and the spirit of the twenty-women squad roaring to go – the Eagle’s scored in the third minute, with a sharp header off of right back number seven, Nicole Gibbons. Wanting to finish the game early, Sangha launched a ball into the back of the net again in a minute 13, giving the Eagles a two nothing advantage for half time. This was not enough, as the Eagles felt embarrassed by such public accusations. Kwantlen now had a plan to finish the game off to head into the finals with a strong lead. One minute into the second half, freshman forward Kathleen Gratz rocketed a ball past the VIU keeper, soaring the lead to three nothing. Finally, in the 60 minute, VIU scored an own goal to push the lead to 4-0 Kwantlen – thus proving that the ultimate plan broke down with the attack from above, making VIU the inescapable prey from the ever-so-determined Eagles. Side by side with Langara and UBCO, awaiting confirmation of an opponent in the finals, Kwantlen questioned as to whether it would be a repeat of the birds of prey in the finals – Langara vs. Kwantlen, Falcons vs. Eagles. Sure enough, in overtime, Langara scores a last minute goal to secure a spot in the finals for their second consecutive year.
Finals. Falcons vs. Eagles. Halloween afternoon, on the center field amongst fans, family, friends and coaches. All awaiting the blow of the whistle, and the start of the game. Eagles in white Falcons in green. Tensions are rising and nerves are about to burst. The drive for the game is in fifth gear. With the blow of the whistle, the Eagles immediately pressured the ball, taking shots from all over the eighteen yard box. A sudden slip by Langara defence and the Eagles had their first of the game, now in less than two minutes thanks to Sangha. The Eagles were then rewarded one more time by midfielder Tara Makrigiannis on a low shot on the Langara keeper. These goals slowly deteriorated the Falcons, swooping them to the halftime, down two goals. With only forty five minutes left, the Eagles needed to continue their work ethic to ensure their victory. “No Sacrifice, no Victory” claims the famous movie, Transformers. It stands correct.
Ninety minutes of play had surpassed, and one minute of extra time was in addition – the Eagles had succeeded in defending their title of Provincial Champions. Winning their second title in two consecutive years, the bench swarmed the field in acknowledgment of the end of extra time. The atmosphere was ecstatic, with red and black everywhere, horns blowing, people clapping and cheering and Kwantlen soaring above all expectations. Claiming top Forward, Most Valuable Player and Top Defender, First in the Province and a trip to Nationals, the Kwantlen Eagles had surpassed the expectations set by everyone in the community.
