Grade 9 student Riley Funston (yellow) was first to the ball many times, during the Royals soccer game against JDSS, May 12, at Port Elgin’s Pierson Field.

Hub Staff

The Saugeen District Secondary School (SDSS) girls’ soccer team has made strong strides this season with two wins, two losses and one tie going into their semi-final against Kincardine District Secondary School (KDSS), May 16.

The 2016 season is a contrast to last year where the Royals did not win a single match.

The last two times KDSS and SDSS met, the Royals took the game 1-0 with 15 minutes to spare, and lost their second match-up 2-1.

The Royals won games against Chesley District Community School 4-0 and Walkerton District Community School 3-0.

Their game against John Diefenbaker Secondary School (JDSS), May 12 at Pierson Field in Port Elgin ended in a tie.

Head Coach Doug Menage accredited their better season to a core group of players, a new formation and a stronger defence.

“I think they've had a stronger year, mainly due to a core group of Grade 9 players that have played together for a long time stepping up into really key roles. That and the older leadership of Erica Parker, Brie Becker and Sarah Kelly, together have created a winning recipe,” Menage said.

Royals player Brie Becker (yellow), charged a JDSS player to defend her goalie, during the second half of the game, May 12.

Emma Vanhaelemeesch kept with the ball during the scoreless game against JDSS, May 12.

One of the most exciting moments of the May 12 game was when a Royals player got past the JDSS keeper with the ball, only to be denied by a JDSS defender, keeping it a scoreless game.

The Royals spent most of the game on their opponent’s side of the field with a few shots at net that were stopped by the JDSS keeper.