It's been a thrilling ride that just keeps on getting better for the Ladner Vipers.
The U15 Gold girls soccer team are Coastal "B" Cup champions for the very first time after a 2-0 victory over Coquitlam Metro Ford Black Ice on a glorious Sunday morning at Richmond's Minoru Park.
The result crowns the Vipers as the top team in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. They will go for B.C. bragging rights in July when they head to Kelowna to compete at the Provincial Cup championships where they will renew their rivalry with Coquitlam along with other teams.
The Vipers and Black Ice were no strangers to one another having finished atop of the Coastal Girls Soccer League U15 standings.
Straight from the whistle it was evident that it was going to be a battle of attrition.
Both teams were firing on all cylinders but scoring chances were hard to come by. The scoreless deadlock was broken just five minutes before the halftime whistle when a corner kick from Lesley Antic led to a goal mouth scramble. Hannah Gerrard and Bianca Copeland each came close before a back-heel from Laura Findlay finally crossed the line. The team and all their supporters erupted.
The cheers might even have been heard on the other side of the Massey Tunnel!
In the second half, Coquitlam really stepped up its tempo in search of the equalizer, playing a very physical game, combined with slick passing. However, Ladner's defense more than met the challenge.
The Black Ice's best scoring chance came with 15 minutes remaining when Vipers goalkeeper Olivia Gaba made a highlight reel finger tip save to deny what looked to be a certain goal.
The stop changed the game, bringing about a massive shift in momentum Ladner's way.
Soon after, a clearance from Gaba found the speedy Olivia Priestlay in space. As she's done so often throughout the season, Priestlay pressed forward beating two players before calmly slotting the ball past the desperate Coquitlam keeper.
The victory was sealed and the final whistle brought a wave of emotion for the battle weary South Delta players and their supporters.
"With the cup on the line, there was no backing down by any of our girls," said Ladner head coach Dirk Schwuchow. "Their energy, drive and determination was amazing.
In the end, the win was the right result, the right reward for a team with fantastic spirit, endeavor and skill. Everyone should be so proud of them. Needless to say, (cocoach) Pete (Findlay) and I are.
"The girls will need a week or so to recover now, away from the soccer field. After that, we'll amp it up again and get ready for Kelowna."
"The win was a magnificent team effort. Each and every one of the girls gave their absolute all," added Findlay. "Exhausted, bruised, and sore yet smiling, each reveling in the glory of winning the cup!
The team also includes: Monika Bains, Sydney Bains, Kieran Bath, Leah Burns, Taylor Chan, Maryah Copeland, Bianca Copeland, Mackenzie Gray, Jessica Hasker, Erika Schwuchow and Olivia Walley. The manager is Lisa Gerrard.
Corner kicks...
Another local team will also be heading to Kelowna for the Provincial "B" Cup Championships.
The U14 Tsawwassen Blues earned the final Coastal berth with a 1-0 victory over the Royal City Salsa on Sunday night at Holly Park in Ladner.
