Last week we recognized some top boys’ teams from league play this past season in the Nanaimo and District Youth Soccer Association. Let’s turn now to girls’ results…
In the U13 division this year, first in the standings was the team that called itself Nanaimo Nightmare. On the winning squad were players Amy Aysals, Tatiana Burtini, Claire Corfield, Taylor Craik, Megan Epps, Jamie Ferraro, Hayley Goodwin, Laura Greene, Haylee Grobowski, Elise Keeping, Hannah Kovich, Richelle LeBlond, Selayna Lopez, Rosalie Pallard and Dava Waller. Coaches for the Nightmare were Kevin Goodwin, Phil LeBlond and Cliff Robinson.
Runners-up in league play were the Cannibals, the Nanaimo U13 team coached by Derek Wilde, Jon Clark and Diane Benedict. On the field were players Hope Wilde, Julia Clark, Lauren Benedict, Madelyn Hart, Madison Hoy, Gina Jones, Mary Dmytruk, Emily Hanelt, Halle Berry, Emma Thiessen, Emily Hoppe, Haily Zonneveld, Alex Watts, Allison Osmond and Taytum Skirrow.
In third place overall came the Mid-Isle Avalanche, led by coaches Kathleen and David Nicholls.
Turning to the U14/15 division, first in league play was the Mid Isle team comprised of players Kelsey Hutt, Shelby Dorman-Banks, Marika Grubac, Autumn Cooper, Robyn Bishop, Hannah Stannard, Bernadine David, Kacie Taylor, Taylor Shramm, Chelsea Jagusiak, Deonya Calori, Morgan Duchen, Celine Forcier, Christy Lynn Crocker, Alexandra Crocker, Charmaine Jack and Samantha Jack. Providing coaching for the girls was Sandra Dick.
Claiming second place were the Ladysmith 49ers, coached by John Battie and Sean Tutte. Third place in the U14/15 division was a team coached by Dan MacKay.
The girls’ U16/18 division saw first place go to the Mid Isle Blue Lightning team. Joe Knippshild was the coach, assisted by Sean Tutte and Jenn Tukham and players were Samantha Knippshild, Tate Johnson, Danielle Morris, Emmyleah Liaros, Emily Adams, Madison Cooke, Sydney Jordan, Jenaya Carmichael, Holly Lynn Dupont, Bianca Borges, Holly Lynne Kotylak, Jordyn Tutte, Dominique Wright and Karen Battie.
Second place was an Oceanside team coached by Mike Watson, but medals for third place went to the Nanaimo Sharks. Players were Sarah Poteryko, Courtney Morris, Stephanie Manson, Ciara Murphy, Stefanie Foelsing, Riley Williamson, Ashley Elliot, Nadya Geselbracht, Caitlyn Allbury, Emma Denhoff, Callie Bennett, Taelar Keir, Ally Keir, Katie Innes, Rachel McDougall, Simin Rupa and Tanis Scott. Coaches were Linda and Ashlee Allbury.
Special congratulations also go to the Nanaimo Impact U17 girls’ rep soccer team. The Impact had a super year, going undefeated on the season and winning a second straight provincial championship. Impact players were Darby Cronan, Aiyanna Grubac, Gabby Jeffrey, Madison Leigh, McKenzie Nicks, Emily Shires, Kayte Higgins, Nicola Houtman, Samantha Owen, Francesca Maestrello, Melissa Dawson, Sydney Goodwin, Madeline Dawson, Denman Moody, Jillian Baird, Carlea Williamson, Violeta Martin and Kenda Chang-Swanson. The championship team was ably coached by Dale Nicks and Lanny Cronan.
And now the Thorpe Report is going to take a break a few weeks to enjoy the summer sun.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.
Ian Thorpe writes about sports Saturdays.