Back row, left to right, Monique Bouch, Natalia Portico, Mya Kinden, Delaney Crowe, Renee Brown, Amber Gallie, Rowan Stephenson, Delaney Brooks, Olivia Weigand, Coach Lydia Ernst. Front row, left to right, Madi McNeill, Alexa Janes, Samara Quanz, Emily Bryce, Goalie-Philly Baumberger, Cydney Morris, Emma Moore, Ashley Gouin. Missing, Maddie Leger. Dan Weigand photo

Submitted by Lydia Ernst

Eighteen girls, eight goals, four games, a double shoot-out and double overtime all came down to a gold medal performance for the Saugeen Shores United Football Club U14 girls in the year-end tournament held in Walkerton on August 20 and 21.

After a strong season, the team headed into the weekend cup tournament in fifth place out of 10 teams in the Lakeshore Soccer League. A strong offensive line resulted in 47 goals for- and 19 goals against- for the season.

Buoyed by the bronze medal results from the Canadian Women'’s team, the girls played during extremely hot conditions and dry pitches and tied in a game to Chatsworth with a score of 1-1 but came back determined, winning 5-0 against Mount Forest, which put them in a three-way tie for first place in their division.

Goal differential was the deciding factor for the team to move ahead to the semi-finals and on Sunday the team played a strong game against Walkerton which resulted in a 1-1 tie. A nail-biting shoot-out ensued. At the end of the first shoot-out, Saugeen tied and then went to head to head.

Keeping focused and determined, Samara Quanz executed a solid kick that sent the team to the gold medal game.

Heavy rains did not dampen the team’s spirit and determination as they faced the Kincardine Canadian Tire team. The girls hung on and tied the game with a penalty shot by Mya Kinden, sending the team into two-five minute overtime periods. It looked like the girls were heading to another shoot out but Olivia Weigand set up and executed a beautiful shot which won the team the gold medal.

It was an exciting weekend and season of soccer for the U14 team, who demonstrated excellent soccer skills along with team work and sportsmanship.

On the left, Philly Baumberger and Coach Lydia Ernst. Linda Baumberger photo. On the right, Olivia and Maya Kinden. Dan Weigand photo

On the left, Saugeen Shores United Football Club ends season with a gold medal game. On the right, Samara Quanz (back) and Olivia Weigand (front) set up for a shot on net. Dan Weigand photos

Olivia Weigand gets ready to pass to Samara Quanz. Dan Weigand photo

The winning goal August 21 that won the Saugeen Shores United Football Club gold. Dan Weigand photo