The defending 'AA' Provincial champion Sacred Heart Lady Saints soccer team officially kicked off the 2014 season this past weekend as they hosted their annual home tournament, going 2-1 throughout the weekend en route to a 'B' side title.
But while the weekend eventually proved to be fruitful, initially it was dreadful as the girls from Sacred Heart were thumped in Game One, losing 8-0 to Regina's Campbell Tartans, a 'AAA' school, to open the tournament on Friday afternoon.
"It was a tough first game," suggested part time assistant coach Rita Fetsch, who took on the role of head coach on Saturday when coach Alfredo Bermudez was unavailable. "There are a lot of people on the team that have basically never seen the field before so we're just trying to work with them throughout the season."
Things were much different on Saturday however, as the Lady Saints ran roughshod over Meadow Lake's Carpenter Spartans 8-1 before trumping the Notre Dame Hounds 7-2 to win the 'B' side title.
Assistant coach Fetsch, who last year starred on the Lady Saints, felt that the team started off slowly, but once they began to develop some chemistry quickly began to get comfortable on the pitch and it showed with crisp passing and accurate shots. "It definitely got better and better as it went," suggested Fetsch. "They've never played with each other before so that chemistry is something that will only get better with every game they play together."
Two players that have played together are grade 12 Bryce Sherring and grade 11 Kendra Varjassy, both of whom were on last year's Provincial championship team and both of which Fetsch believes will be leaders in 2014, as evidenced by their play throughout the weekend. "I have to commend Bryce Sherring and Kendra Varjassy," said Fetsch, continuing, "They both definitely led the team this weekend and they are both veteran players who will be leaders all season."
One other player that stood out during the tournament was grade 11 speedster Justine Zarowny, who kept opposing teams on their heels with her quick pace and high stamina.
