Next stop, provincials.
The West Hants U14 Girls soccer team travelled to Digby Aug. 30 and won the Valley Soccer League Championship for their age category with a heart-stopping 2-1 victory over Clare.
It was the first meeting of the season between the two clubs after crossing over from one division to another during the playoff round.
Morgan Church scored West Hants’ winning goal on a breakaway, putting her team, coached by Karen Lake, into the provincial championships this weekend in Sydney.
With the score tied 1-1, Clare was awarded a penalty kick, and an opportunity to take the lead, but goalkeeper Samantha Lake stopped the penalty shot cold. The only goal to get past Lake came early in the first half.
Leslie-Ann Sanford tied it for West Hants prior to leaving the game with what was thought to be a twisted ankle. She worked it on the sidelines and, moments later, was back in the game.
Natalie Rippey and Katie Currie played outstanding games for West Hants again, as they have all season, and aggressive plays from others such as Morgan Church, Emily Porter and Jesse Miller all contributed to the team’s success.
The girls travel to Sydney this weekend for the Nova Scotia Championship Tournament. They will open against Truro in New Waterford at noon, Saturday, before taking on their host, Sydney, at 4 p.m. that same day.
West Hants will have the evening off before going up against a team from the South Shore at 10 a.m. Sunday morning.
The outcomes of these games will determine if they are fighting for bronze or gold Sunday afternoon.
Watch for next week's Hants Journal for a complete recap of how the team fares in Sydney.
