“I’m sure we could all feel the tension when the ref blew his whistle."
The LHHS girl’s varsity soccer team was brimming with excitement as they set out to play École Saint-Anne October 27th. It was their last game to see who would score a spot for regionals and tensions were high.
Both teams fought hard, the girls took as many advantages as they could, holding their ground throughout the whole game. But after [2 hours] the score was still 0-0, leading them to two five-minute over time periods. Even those ended scoreless, sending the girls to penalty kicks.
“I’m sure we could all feel the tension when the ref blew his whistle and we had to go into penalty kicks.” Brooklyn Saunders, one of the team captains said. It was their first time as a team going into penalty kicks. Kelsey Holland, the other team captain, and Saunders went in for the coin toss.
“I could feel my heart racing.” Saunders reported. They won the toss and chose to shoot first. Heidi Boulter, their coach, gave the game plan, letting the girls know who was lined up to kick and the chosen five waited for the ref to let them begin. Edyn Clowater scored first, then Mila Tränkmann, then Holland then Saunders.
“Wynn Campbell, our keeper, was ready and excited.” Said Heidi Boulter. The ESA girls were strong, but thanks to her, they did not have the same success. “Wynn made a couple great saves” remembered Boutler. She stopped the opposition’s goals and ensured victory for her own team. Wynn was named a Leo Hayes Athlete of the Month.
The final score was 4-2 for the Lions, and the entire team sprinted to Campbell. Spectators could feel the relief and joy spreading among the girls.
“I was very confident going into that game, and we came out with the win by the end, just like I knew we could.” Said Saunders. It was their success in this game that led them to win first place in their district league, bringing them all the way to provincials!