2010 Wagner Tournament Report

 

Falcons soar to Gold Medal!

 

Game 1 Friday NNU Falcons 0 vs Eliot River Ramblers PEI 1

 

In Lower Sackville, played at Sackville Heights Elementary School, the opening game was more of the recent results as Northern Nova started the tournament well but could not finish their attacks.  The scoring drought came back to haunt the Falcons as Eliot River scored with six minutes left in the game and then killed the clock efficiently.

 

Various combinations up front threatened and tested the Ramblers keeper but could not dent the mesh.  Isobel DeMont and Kelsey Chislett made some great runs and hounded the opposition fullbacks with tenacious play but could not get the final touch.  Nicole Sloan and Jessica Taylor in midfield jumped into the attack but to no avail.  On the back line, player of the game, Kelsey Greenidge and fellow defenders Alex Henderson and Tiffany Prosser all had steady performances.

 

The Falcons had the bulk of the possession but let the point slip away.  Christina Cleroux recorded the decision in goal and the team welcomed back into the line-up sprinter Heather Beaton from the injury list.

 

Game 2 Saturday morning NNU Falcons 4 vs Halifax County Lightning 0

 

This game played in Lower Sackville, also at the elementary school field, featured an intense battle between two opponents that are no strangers to one another over the past four years.  The Falcons started fast, scored early and then fired three second half goals to post a 4-0 victory in the sweltering heat. 

 

Christina Cleroux recorded the shutout while Catherine Munro with an early super strike to the low far post had the game winning goal.  The win proved costly as Isobel DeMont was lost for the remainder of the week-end due to a leg injury.

 

Player of the game, Jenna Fraser, striker Bernadette Little and versatile Katie Walsh provided the second half goals, with Little’s being a one timer off a Veronica Deno corner kick from the right side that found Little alone at the far post.  Deno also had an earlier assist while McKayla Day, Walsh and Erin Gillis also chipped in with assists to help the offence out.

 

Defenders Vicki Oliver and Kelsey Crawford were full credit for their performances in this game while Gillian McKenzie contributed many throw-ins and overlapping runs.

 

Game 3 Saturday afternoon NNU Falcons 4 vs Scotia Olympics 0

 

NNU clinched a berth in the semi finals with a convincing shutout victory over former nemesis the Scotia Olympics from Fall River.  Revenge was sweet as the NNU Falcons had lost earlier in the season in overtime at the Gunn Championship and there was no question which team was more determined and focused on this day.

 

Christina Cleroux earned her second shutout of the day and tenth of the season to register the victory in goal while the dynamic midfield duo of Jessica Taylor and Katie Walsh scored a pair of goals each while player of the game Taylor also registered an assist on Walsh’s game winning goal.

 

Corner kick specialist Veronica Deno, Catherine Munro, Bernadette Little and Vicki Oliver all recorded single assists in this contest.  McKayla Day in midfield and fullbacks Erin Gillis, Kelsey Greenidge, Tiffany Prosser and sweeper Alex Henderson all played key roles in this important victory.

 

Game 4 Semi finals Sunday morning NNU Falcons 3 vs Sackville Strikers 1

 

Northern Nova eliminated the host team and booked their spot in the final with a tense 3-1 victory on Sunday morning.  McKayla Day put the Falcons on the score sheet first with a nice left footed strike to the low far corner finishing her diagonal run in style.  Bernadette Little doubled the lead just before the half time interval with another low shot past the Sackville keeper. 

 

In the second half Sackville converted on a corner kicker with a powerful header as the NNU defence got caught flat footed and ball watching.  Nicole Sloan restored the two goal cushion with a brilliant left footed strike ten minutes from time.  Despite their physical play and loud supporters Sackville were done.

 

Katie Walsh and Veronica Deno led the assist parade with two helping touches each while Tiffany Prosser, Kelsey Crawford, Sloan and Kelsey Chislett all were credited with a single assist.

 

Player of the game, keeper Christina Cleroux made several key saves including two diving stops to keep Sackville at bay.  Gillian McKenzie, Erin Gillis and Kelsey Greenidge all had simple and effective defensive games for the blue, black and white.

 

Championship Final Sunday afternoon NNU Falcons 3 vs Scotia Olympics 0

 

In the championship game, played at the Lower Sackville field, featuring two very familiar combatants from past provincials and tournaments over the last five seasons.

 

Witnesses saw the Falcons earn redemption with a second consecutive tournament shutout of Scotia this time by a count of 3-0.   The championship winning goal was scored by player of the game Katie Walsh on a sweet set up by Bernadette Little, McKayla Day and Jessica Taylor were also in on the midfield build up of this goal.

 

Heather Beaton doubled the advantage later in the first half streaking in from the right side to blast a shot past the Scotia keeper.  Nicole Sloan had originally started the play with a throw-in that Jessica Taylor pushed square across the top of the 18 yard box to a wide open Beaton.

 

After halftime Scotia pressed but were thwarted and kept at bay by the Falcons defence of Veronica Deno, Jenna Fraser and sweeper Alex Henderson.  Keeper Christina Cleroux managed the defensive third in a quiet effective manner for the shutout.

 

The final goal of the tournament was a heads up play by Catherine Munro who layed the ball back to Jessica Taylor who chipped the Scotia keeper and the ball floated into the yawning cage, Katie Walsh also picked up an assist on the play. 

Vicki Oliver had an exceptional game in midfield for the Falcons.

 

The happy but tired team of 18 players showed their true character this week-end fashioning a record of 4 wins and 1 loss scoring 14 goals and conceding only 2 in the humid heat.  The total team effort was celebrated by donning their gold medals and posing for team photographs then eating ice cream.

 

Well done ladies!

 

 

 

 

Names for team personnel in photo:

 

Front :  Christina Cleroux.

 

First Row (L to R):  McKayla Day, Kelsey Crawford, Katie Walsh, Vicki Oliver, Kelsey Chislett, Jenna Fraser, Jessica Taylor, Kelsey Greenidge, Erin Gillis.

 

Back Row (L to R):  Bob Boardway, Coach; Nicole Sloan, Alex Henderson, Catherine Munro, Gillian McKenzie, Tiffany Prosser, Heather Beaton, Veronica Deno, Bernadette Little, Bonnie Cleroux, Manager, Olivia Fraser, Team protege.

 

Missing:  Isobel DeMont, Krishma Joshi, Kathryn Mackie, Assistant Coach; and Kelly Chisholm, Assistant Coach.