With a strong wind gusting across the field, both Central and Vanier had their opportunities to score.
It was the Vanier Spirits that scored on a couple close plays to defeat the Central Cyclones 2-1 in high school girls soccer action on Tuesday afternoon at Sunningdale Field.
“It was pretty good,” said veteran Amy Piche of the Sprits. “Our communication was good and we were pushing the net. We were trying to crash the net and trying to get our passes together. The wind didn’t affect us too much, we just had to make sure to keep the ball low and to the corners.”
The Cyclones were the first on the board after Taylor Kell scored on a broken play early in the second half. Nikki Armstrong hit the crossbar and Vanier’s keeper Nathalie Monpetit stopped Lindsay Fish in close before the two collided into each other in the goal crease.
Central’s head coach Darcy Dorais felt his team dominated much of the match and played well despite the wind.
“Their keeper definitely kept them in the game. I thought we dominated, but she made some fantastic stops and that was the difference in the game,” he stated. “The wind was going across, so it was the same for both teams. It didn’t really hurt us, but is definitely a factor.”
Vanier’s Amanda Miller had a great shot in close, but was stopped by Central’s keeper. Jenna Coates would tie the game for Vanier in the second half on a good two-on-one play. The Spirits got good inside pressure on Central’s defenders and Coates was able to score again in close to give Vanier the lead and victory.
“We just have to work on staying together and being more relaxed with the ball,” said Piche. “We had some nerves as we are starting without some of our seniors as they graduated.”
For more on this story, read an upcoming edition of the Times-Herald.
