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.
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.
The North Nova United U12 Girls took part in The Annual Seagull Tournament in Cornwall, PEI this past weekend. The girls were motivated and determined despite feeling like the underdog with a young team. This attitude was evident during 4 round robin games, in which the team out shot each team that they were up against. The bold goal keeping and strong defense continued through the semi-finals to lead the girls to the championship game against Oromocto on Sunday. An intense game on the part of both teams had fans sitting on the edge of their seats until a goal was scored in the final 10 minutes of the game, leading the Falcons to Soccer Gold!
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.
The Northern Nova United U12 Boys team travelled to PEI to participate in the 15th Annual Seagull Tournament hosted by the Eliot River Ramblers Soccer Club. The team had a fantastic weekend on the pitch. Top offense, great passing, unselfish plays, strong defense and stellar goal keeping lead the team to victory. The players had a perfect record going into the final out scoring their opponents 22-1 in round robin play. The Falcons faced the Ramblers in the championship game and won gold defeating them 3-0.
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)
