Angels Win BC Catholics

The rain held off as Holy Cross and LFA clashed in the finals of the 2016 Senior Soccer BC Catholic Championships. The game was remarkably balanced, with each team trying to play to their strengths. 

Holy Cross played to get the ball to their elite striker, who showed skill whenever she had the ball. LFA did extraordinarily well to contain the threat and their defence played well as a unit to cover, double team and smother the threat. Still, on the day and in the big game, LFA's goalie Alexa Gazzola '16 may well have been the difference. Alexa made several stunning, diving saves and won the favour of the large crowd that took in the game. 

Meanwhile, LFA countered with a team approach. They built the play through the midfield and tried to stretch the Holy Cross defenders with overhead balls and wide-side attacks. The stunning speed of the LFA strikers was used to full advantage. Younger and smaller, the Angels had to really fight through the smothering defence. 

Holy Cross struck first when LFA became slightly disorganized after failing to get a call on a tough push from behind on one of their defenders, the defence lost their marks. In a crazy scramble in front of Alexa, the Holy Cross striker found the ball at her feet and slammed it home. LFA responded immediately and the flow of play went in their favour. LFA found the call on another hard push from behind, giving Lauren Rea '16 a free kick from 30 yards. As everyone set up for headers on the expected curled kick,  Lauren simply drove it home on a direct and powerful strike. The Holy Cross keeper desperately lunged to keep the ball out but missed the perfectly placed shot. 

The game stayed 1-1 for the rest of the game. Chances went both ways. The best for Holy Cross being a driving strike the came in low and hard in the second half. Alexa confidently dove, directing the ball off the endline. It was a top quality save. For LFA, there were several great forays into the Holy Cross terrritory, but two of the best fell to Ceili McCabe '19 whose relentless running and effort was rewarded with a semi break-away. As she drove by the last defender, she almost entirely avoided the desperate slide at her feet. Partly clipped, she stayed on her feet--but the wobble allowed the Holy Cross keeper just enough time to get to the ball. Moments later, with the game winding down, Isabel Jalandoon '19 broke free on a break. The keeper charged out. Izzy lunged to flick the ball over the keeper. The keeper missed the ball with her hands, but it clipped her head and bounced off target. Sadly, her follow through took out Izzy, who had to leave the game.

Overtime was played in the midfield and the teams found themselves in penalty kicks to decide the outcome. LFA and Holy Cross traded goals to start the first four kicks. Then, Alexa expertly dove to save the third kick. LFA seized the advantage. Another save by Alexa finished the PK's and the celebration was on!

Congratulations to Lauren Rea '16 for being named the Tournament MVP!

The Leadup to the Final
After a thrilling and hotly contested 3-1 semi final win over rival STM, LFA's Senior Soccer team earns their spot in the BC Catholic Gold Medal game. You can watch the Final vs. Holy Cross at 1pm on Friday, April 22 at Archbishop Carney Regional Secondary School in Port Coquitlam.

LFA was found their place in the semi final after a brilliant first day. A dominant 4-0 win over St John Brebeuf started the day. In their second game on the hottest day this spring, LFA worked hard to give themselves a 1-0 edge over Notre Dame.