cancelling all of  NNU’s soccer activities tomorrow

Saturday Sept. 4th

The fall session recommences on Saturday the 4th September and runs until Saturday the 2nd October (5 weeks).

   The Northern Nova United U -14 girls traveled to the 25^th annual New Minas Invitational soccer tournament on the weekend and came away with the gold medal. The NNU squad went through the preliminary round with a record of two wins and one tie. The opening contest was a 3-1 win over Halifax City. Leading the way for the Falcons was Lauren Hale with 2 goals and Alyson Fulton with a single tally. Madison McGuire and Jennifer Cooke showed great leadership performances in this contest. Game two saw a 1-1 draw with East Kings, Karleigh Avery scored the lone goal on a penalty shot. Showing their willingness to work hard at every opportunity during this contest was Megan Fraser and Haley Muise. The third match was a 4-0 victory over Kings West which highlighted four different goal scorers. Lindy Quann, Kathryn Steeves, Natalie Mac Queen and Alyson Fulton all tallied for NNU. Playing good two way soccer for this match was Jessica Deagle and Mac Kenzie Bell. Sharing the work in goal through the opening section of the tournament was Cara Mac Ivor and Paige Clarke.

 The cross over game saw the Falcons matched up against the second Kings West squad entered in the tournament. This close contest came down to specialty team plays with Northern Nova’s Lauren Hale scoring on an indirect free kick and Karleigh Avery on a penalty shot. Brae Henderson, Jennifer Cooke and Cara Mac Ivor turned in solid performances. This 2-0 victory secured a place in the gold medal contest with Highland league competitors Antigonish Celtics.

   This final had all the elements of a great match, with strong goalkeeping, solid play by both squads and was an example of intestinal fortitude considered this was the fifth game in the tournament for each team under intense heat. Both teams played even through both halves with many excellent scoring chances but the score sheet remained unmarked.  Lindy Quann, Alyson Fulton and Paige Clarke were relentless on the ball but the blue and white were thwarted by the Celtics keeper. Having the 0-0 score at the end of regulation, the NNU squad prepared for the two five minute golden goal sessions. With a direct free kick being awarded to the Falcons midway through the first frame and the Celtics bravely holding their line, Lauren Hale launched the ball which beat the keeper but not the post. Kathryn Steeves then pounced on the rebound during a mad scramble, and then tucked it into the low far post to send the Falcons to victory, much to the delight of many excited fans. Earning the shutout victory in goal for the final was Cara Mac Ivor. A note of congratulations to all team members of the Falcons who played through injury, heat and some very tough matches, Well Done Girls!

  Both exhausted teams were then awarded their respective medals, with the Falcons getting the 25^th year commemorative pennant and game ball. Keeping with tradition the NNU squad then headed off to Avery’s farm market for the victory ice cream.

   Team Members in Photo:  Front (L) Paige Clarke, Cara Mac Ivor

 Second Row (L) Alyson Fulton, Brae Henderson, Kathryn Steeves, Haley Muise

Third Row(L)(Coach) Ashley Cameron, Madison McGuire, Jennifer Cooke, Lindy Quann, Jessica Deagle, Karleigh Avery, Lauren Hale, Natalie Mac Queen, Mackenzie Bell, Megan Fraser, (Coach) Allan Mac Queen . Missing from the photo was team member Randi Fraser.

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.

8 players in total selected from the Highland region (2 Pictou, 3 Ant, 1 CC Riders, and 2 NNU).

2010 Gunn Baldursson Tournament Report

Falcons earn silver medals!

Game 1 Friday NNU Falcons 3 vs Halifax County Lightning 1

 Krishma Joshi received player of the game honors for a dominating performance in the central midfield during the opening game as Northern Nova started the tournament on their front foot with a 3-1 win at the Dykes Complex on the campus of Acadia University.

Bernadette Little opened the scoring twenty minutes in stealing the ball from a Lightning defender and chipping a shot over the startled Halifax County keeper.  Six minutes later Jessica Taylor doubled the lead with what would prove to be the game winning goal assisted by Kelsey Chislett and Little.  HCU pulled one back just before half time to make the score 2-1 in favor of the Falcons at the interval.

 The second half proved to be all Northern Nova as they dominated possession and lengthened their lead on a bullet shot by Catherine Munro, Isobel DeMont and Joshi were the set team for this goal.  Christina Cleroux recorded the victory in goal while Erin Gillis at fullback and Veronica Deno at stopper kept the Lightning attackers at bay with solid defensive efforts.

 Game 2 Saturday morning NNU Falcons 2 vs Dartmouth United 0

This game played in Greenwich, at Horton High school field, an intense battle between two opponents that are no strangers to one another over the past four years.  The same result as the Falcons posted a 2-0 victory in the sweltering heat.  Christina Cleroux recorded the shutout while Bernadette Little and Katie Walsh provided the goals, the latter off a Tiffany Prosser corner kick from the right side that found Walsh alone at the far post.  Little and Krishma Joshi also picked up assists on this goal.

Defenders Isobel DeMont and Jenna Fraser were full credit for their performances in this game while Kelsey Crawford contributed several dangerous corner kicks and throw-ins.

 Game 3 Saturday afternoon NNU Falcons 1 vs Cole Harbour Storm 0

 NNU clinched first place in their group and a berth in the semi finals with a shutout victory over Cole Harbour Storm.  Played at Centerville this 1-0 win gave the Falcons back to back shutouts against tough opponents.  Birthday girl Vicki Oliver had the game winner on a long drive from 25 yards out on the left wing. Jessica Taylor was the set up person recording the assist. 

 Cleroux recorded the clean sheet while Kelsey Greenidge, and McKayla Day in midfield along with right fullback Tiffany Prosser all played key roles in this important victory.

 Game 4 Semi finals Sunday morning NNU Falcons 3 vs Cole Harbour Storm 0

The sequel took place the next morning as Cole Harbour qualified with the best record of the three divisional runners up.   The Falcons, measured their opponent for the first half and then exploded for three tallies in the second stanza.  Isobel DeMont scored on a solo effort for the game winner with a shot off the crossbar that careened down and into the mesh.  Next up Jessica Taylor scored the first of her two goals one timing a Veronica Deno corner kick, then Taylor was back for more chipping the storm keeper with assists to Bernadette Little, Kelsey Crawford  and Kelsey Chislett.

 Christina Cleroux earned her third shutout of the tournament going the distance in this game played at Oakdene fields in Kentville.   In this match, Katie Walsh,  McKayla Day, Erin Gillis and Kelsey Greenidge had outstanding games for the Northern Nova squad.  Right back Tiffany Prosser shutdown the top Cole Harbour striker for the second consecutive game, the striker had been on a goal a game pace for the entire season until she came up against the Falcons Prosser.

 Championship Final Sunday afternoon NNU Falcons 2 vs Scotia Olympics 3 OT

In the championship game, played at the Oakdene fields in Kentville, featuring two very familiar combatants from past provincials and tournaments over the last five years saw the Falcons narrowly edged out in overtime by the Scotia club in monsoon like conditions.  The championship winning goal was scored in the final minute as of the first overtime as Scotia capitalized on a corner kick opportunity. 

 Catherine Munro opened the scoring with the lone goal of the first half on a beautiful shot to the low far post.  Munro was sent in alone on a great feed from midfielders Krishma Joshi and Kelsey Crawford who were playing possession back and forth.

Scotia equalized just a minute into the second half but three minutes later Vicki Oliver delivered a low shot to restore the lead, scoring short side past a diving keeper.  Krishma Joshi again provided the set up pass.

 Ten minutes from the end Scotia were awarded a dubious handball call for a penalty shot and they converted just out of the reach of a diving Christina Cleroux to make the score 2-2.  The rest of the game saw opportunities at both ends with the keepers standing tall and the strikers working hard for opportunities.  Cleroux had seven definite saves in this game, the best of which when she extended and pushed a labeled shot wide of the post and out of bounds.

 Central defenders Deno, DeMont and sweeper Walsh all stood tall for the NNU crew and battled hard for the cause.

 The short overtime allowed no chance for a Falcons comeback on this day but the young team served notice that they will be a force to be reckoned with throughout this season.

 The exhausted team of 16 players rose to the occasion this week-end fashioning a record of 4 wins and 1 overtime loss scoring 11 goals and conceding only 4 in the sweltering heat and driving rains.  The total team effort was celebrated by donning their silver medals and posing for team photographs.

Well played ladies!

NNU Falcons U-16 Girls 2010 Gunn Baldursson Silver Medalists

Names for Team members in photo:

Front :  Christina Cleroux.

First Row (L to R):  Katie Walsh, Jessica Taylor, Kelsey Chislett, Jenna Fraser, Kelsey Greenidge, Erin Gillis, Bernadette Little.

Back Row (L to R):  Bob Boardway, Coach; Catherine Munro, Isobel DeMont, Veronica Deno, Vicki Oliver, Tiffany Prosser, McKayla Day, Kelsey Crawford, Krishma Joshi, Kathryn Verheyden, Assistant Coach; Bonnie Cleroux, Manager.

Missing:  Heather Beaton, Alex Henderson, Gillian McKenzie, Nicole Sloan and Assistant Coach Kelly Chisholm

Northern Nova United U-14 Falcons Capture Bronze

   The 2010 edition of the Northern Nova United U -14 girls had a rewarding weekend at the Gunn Baldursson Memorial soccer tournament. The NNU squad went 3wins and no loses in the round robin portion of the competition with victories over Halifax County United 7-0, Bedford United 2-0 and East Kings Levi 1-0.   Leading the way in game one was Randi Fraser and Cara Mac Ivor each with two goals while Mac Kenzie Bell, Kathryn Steeves, and Karleigh Avery had single tallies. Drawing multiple assists were Jennifer Cooke, Natalie Mac Queen, Lindy Quann and Megan Fraser. Sharing the victory in goal was Mac Ivor and Mac Queen.

   Game two against Bedford United saw a low scoring contest. Kathryn Steeves converting a diagonal ball into the opening strike with assists to Randi Fraser and Karleigh Avery. The second half  had Randi Fraser put the game out of reach with a great steal off the defender, followed by a well placed chip over the keeper to seal the contest at 2-0. Drawing assists on this marker was Cara Mac Ivor and Avery. Solid performances were turned in by Haley Muise, Madison Mc Guire and Mac Kenzie Bell. Earning the victory in goal were Mac Ivor and Paige Clarke.

 The evening contest against East Kings Levi maintained a very quick pace, and highlighted solid defense by both squads. Scoring the eventual game winner mid way through the first half was Randi Fraser from mid fielder Karleigh Avery.  For the balance of the match defensive specialists Lauren Hale, Natalie Mac Queen, Lindy Quann, Jennifer Cooke and Paige Clarke stood tall to limit any scoring chances. Those that managed to get through were shut down by keeper Cara Mac Ivor.  Earning the shut out in goal was Mac Ivor.

   Sunday mornings cross over contest was a re-match of the previous evening with the East Kings squad striking once in each half to give the host team a trip to the finals. The NNU squads had a possession and territorial advantage through out most of the game but were unable to hit their mark.   

  The bronze medal contest pitted the Falcons against another valley team East Kings Murphy. Northern Nova started strong but was dealt a serious blow when tournament leading scorer striker Randi Fraser went down injured in the first half. After the resumption of play the NNU squad continued to control the contest but did not score until mid way through the second half. Many of their chances were thwarted by the East Kings keeper who made many spectacular saves.  The game winner came off the foot of Karleigh Avery as a result of hard work in the attacking third by Lauren Hale and Megan Fraser.  Sharing the victory in goal was Cara Mac Ivor and Paige Clarke.

  The team concluded the tournament by receiving their medals then traveling to Avery’s for the traditional ice cream celebration. This is the fourth year in a row several team members have been medallists at the Gunn.

 Team Members Front (Left): Paige Clarke, Cara Mac Ivor

Back (Left):  Mac Kenzie Bell, Randi Fraser, Natalie Mac Queen, Lauren Hale, Jennifer Cooke, Lindy Quann, Karleigh Avery, Kathryn Steeves, Madison McGuire, Megan Fraser, Haley Muise and Coach Allan Mac Queen. Team members absent for the Gunn were Brae Henderson, Alyson Fulton, Jessica Deagle, and Coach, Ashley Cameron.

Back Row: Robyn Burrows (team manager), Breanna McGee, Amanda Dunning, Olivia Murray, Kaitlin Kelly, John Van Vulpen (Assistant Coach), Danielle Farrell, Rayleigh Locke and Jenna Burrows.
 
Middle Row: Caitlin Taylor, Brenton Wynn-Baudoux (coach), Sophia Wornell, and Sarah MacNeil
 
Front Row is Savannah Lees, Sarah Wynn-Baudoux, Zeus (team mascot), Kaylee Van Vulpen, and Lindsey MacIvor.
 
Missing from the tournament and picture, but still a valued member of the team was Annika Mason.

 Photo players and coaches left to right.

1st Row:   Christian MacLeod
2nd Row:  Oliver Schnare, Logan MacLean, Nolan Emery, Billy Hoare, Josh Gerrior, Bailey Fraserm, Isaac MacDonald
3rd Row:    Carl Hemmimgs(Assistant Coach), Corey Niven, Ashton Forsythe, Ben McDow, Jesse Hemmings, Kevin Schnare (Manager), Lance Emery, Colin MacIntosh and Edwin MacDonald (Coach)                             

         Missing- Jim Ripoll(Assistant Coach)