Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School gave impressive performances both on and off the field when they hosted the 2013 Girls AA Provincial High School Soccer Championships, May 30 to June 1.
On the field, the senior girls’ soccer team competed in five matches over three days and finished the 16-team tournament in a very respectable sixth place with a record of two wins, two losses and a draw.
Isfeld opened Pool C play against 2012 provincial champs Seycove where they started well and played solidly but couldn't hold their lead in the second half, eventually falling 4-2 to the team from North Vancouver. Shelby Jeeves scored both goals while Rosie Price, Emma Balneaves, Emma Miller and Holly Phillips had strong games.
In their next game, Isfeld went down early to eventual tournament winners Archbishop Carney, but hit back with two goals in the first half. Isfeld withstood most of the late pressure from their strong Fraser Valley opponents but conceded one and ended up drawing 2-2.
The Carney forwards were thwarted by the strong play of defenders Ariel Becherer, Cassidy Marinus, Mali Przy and Erin Hallier plus defensive midfielders Sydney Kuhnert and Megan Komori-Kennedy. Jenna Kuhnert and Jeeves found the net for the Ice.
The second day of action saw Isfeld earn two deserved, valuable wins. In their final pool game they swept aside the Okanagan`s Sa-Hali Sabres 4-1 with an awesome surge of goals late in the game, thus earning second place in their group. Jeeves scored twice, J. Kuhnert one, and Sa-Hali netted an own goal, while ‘keeper Kenzie Hanson made several key saves in an outstanding performance. Marisa Benisky, Becherer and Przy were solid at central defence. Rosie Price, Lex Hornstein, Bradie Gailloux and Kate McKeown continually found open spaces down the opponent’s right side to help create all the scoring opportunities.
In the afternoon playoff, Isfeld showed their true composure as a team as they came from behind to defeat Little Flower Academy 2-1 in front a large crowd of students, parents and other hometown supporters. Jenna Haaf, Emily Keyes, and Balneaves kept the pressure on with strong attacking moves, while Jeeves once again scored twice.
In their final game, Isfeld faced Lambrick Park for fifth and sixth place. The #1 team from Victoria jumped quickly on the slow start by Isfeld and never looked back, although Isfeld missed several close opportunities before netting one in a 5-1 loss. Emma Leevers scored for the Ice while Jeeves and Kuhnert came close and Sabine Rankin stepped up to have a strong game at right back.
"Overall, the Isfeld girls displayed true class and demonstrated the finest soccer they’ve played as a team this year, and are very proud of their final placing, as they eclipsed the 12th place finish set by the 2008 squad," noted Ice coach and tournament director Jonathan Bos.
Although Isfeld will see 12 of their players from this year’s team graduate, they look forward to continued success with a strong group of junior players ready to move up next season.
In the championship final, Archbishop Carney defeated Burnsview 2-1. Earlier, Nanaimo’s NDSS claimed third with their 4-0 win over Nelson’s LV Rogers. Pamela Scowby of Carney was tournament MVP while Isfeld’s Shelby Jeeves scored seven goals to share the Golden Boot Award with Emma Entzminger of Lambrick Park. Little Flower Academy received the Fair Play Award as determined by the tournament officials.
Off the field, an extensive network of community support helped the large contingent of volunteers to keep everything moving seamlessly behind the scenes. All aspects at the fields; before, during and after the 40 games, providing a hospitality area for the all people involved with the tournament, coordinating the championship awards and managing injuries at the first aid station were handled with precision.
The highlight of the volunteer efforts came at the awards banquet, where a Western theme was used to transform the Isfeld gym into various cowboy scenes include an old town, hay bales, wagons and wanted posters, which all contributed to a fun, fantastic atmosphere. At the evening awards, Isfeld’s Cassidy Marinus was named to the B.C. Soccer Commission’s 11, which recognizes each team’s most influential player over the course of their season.
Overall, the tournament was a huge success and continues to receive positive feedback from the players, coaches and parents that attended as well as the spectators who watched and those who were involved in helping out.
"These soccer championships also could not have happened without the resources of the community," Bos said. "The organizing committee wishes to acknowledge gold sponsors Insurance Centres and Seal Bay RV Park/Campground; silver sponsors Walter Marinus Construction, Pilon Tools, Bennett Sheet Metal, Courtenay Plumbing, Hyland Precast, Rosewall Contracting, as well as ReMax for their big tent, Thrifty and Quality Foods, SD#71, CVUSC, and the City of Courtenay."
– Isfeld Ice Athletics