Recap

Report by: The Silent Scribbler

Last weekend saw the resumption of our ladies’ football Winter Super league. It was a clash of the titans with the two teams who slogged it out for last year’s summer league final, once again, taking to the field to contest a thoroughly entertaining game of football. The most notable thing to take from this game was the contribution of the newer players, many of whom, looked as though they’d been playing for years.

The opening few minutes of the first period saw the Gaels get off to a flyer with an early goal from the skipper, Annie Gaumond. The ‘veteran’ Mariette Parrod escaped the clutches of the Rocks midfield to break free down the right before linking well with the very impressive newcomer Diane Clark-Lamey, who’s shot rebounded into the path of Gaumond who calmly slotted the ball home past the helpless Paola Ruckholdt in the Rocks nets. However, the Rocks responded almost immediately with the wily old fox Claire Lubell (fresh off her 42nd birthday) releasing the potent Jenn Dumais who finished with aplomb past the acrobatic Carine Machalani. The Rocks began to get on top and added another goal from Fu-Chen Lee who was outstanding in the game before Dumais and the highly impressive debutant and MVP Lara added a point each. Lubell then intercepted a stray clearance from the Gaels defence before racing through and slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
The 2nd quarter was more of the same from the Rocks with early goals from Dumais and Lubell again, widening their lead. But the Gaels refused to throw in the towel and tagged on a couple of scores themselves through Natasha Teich and Larissa Andrusyshyn. This was the rocks’ quarter though and two great goals from Lara and the rampaging Shera Robinson left them with an almost insurmountable lead at the half.

The 2nd half was a much more even contest. Some tactical and positional alterations from Gaumond saw the Gaels find their feet and they began to look more like the reigning summer league champions Paris Williams at the back was outstanding and continues to get better every game. Diane who had played forwards in the first half was switched to the back where she looked more at home and was equally impressive in stifling the threat of the Rocks lethal forward line. Emma Shriar was also throwing her weight about with some vita interception throughout the game. Larissa and Evelyne Moissan were beginning to get a stranglehold in the midfield alongside the evergreen Parrod who was excellent on the night. Rookie Mimi Simmons played as a fourth midfielder and was worth her weight in gold with non-stop running and harrying throughout. Whilst in the forwards, Gaumond led from the front with newcomers Jane Sorensen and Natasha both contributing significantly as the game progressed. Whilst in goals Carine, who pulled off some world class saves in the first half swapped with another rookie Sam Clark who put in a sterling second half display and took home the MVP award for the Gaels. Points from Parrod, Natasha and Larissa narrowed the gap before the Rocks responded with scores from Shera and another debutant Frederique halting the Gaels comeback.
The last quarter saw both sides exchange blows but the Rocks’ lead from the first half proved to be too much of a mountain to climb for the Gaels. The Rocks were deserved winners. The spine of their team, (Robinson at the back, Lubell in midfield and Dumais in the forwards) is a tried and trusted combination and ultimately that experience was the main difference in the two teams. That 4th quarter saw Frederique display some clinical finishing and she rounded off her night with an impressive tally of 3-2. Herself and Lara were a constant threat which was more impressive considering they are rookies! Orla Mahon and Tamika Gokhool were also very impressive on their debuts and will only improve with more game time. While Fu-Chen, Tiphaine and the returning Leah Bender were very industrious with Leah adding a fine goal to boot. And Paola, as ever, was a rock (pardon the pun) between the sticks.
It was a very enjoyable game. The Gaels looked a different outfit in the second half, and they will only get stronger. The Rocks are reigning winter league champions and it showed on Saturday last. Fully deserved winners and they have set the benchmark for the other three teams to aspire to.

Final score: Goose village Blackrocks 12-7 Griffintown Gaels 2-7