The L.V. Rogers girls field hockey team finished the short regular season with three wins, and one loss.
The team won its final two games this week, a 2-0 victory over Trails’s J.L. Crowe on Tuesday and a 1-0 win against Castlegar’s Stanley Humphries on Wednesday. The victories earned the locals a spot in the Kootenay zone finals next week.
Coach Val Gibson commented on Wednesday’s game against Castlegar.
“[It was a] very close game with many penalty corners and very wet conditions,” she said. “Two of our international students, Yu Takahashi and Svenja Rennecke (who have never played before) had chances at goals and were very excited.”
The single goal was scored, unassisted, by Grade 10 midfielder Noa Butterfield. Gibson said there was a solid defence by Kyra Burkart and Emma Gregorich as well as Heather Potkins and Lauren Walgren. First time goalkeeper Jena Wheeldon earned the shutout, making some impressive saves in the process.
“Co-captain Allie Zondervan was amazing with strong passes and great leadership,” added Gibson.
Coach Bruce Walgren said there has been a great team effort this year and their hard work is being rewarded.
“[There have been] great performances by the back line of Lauren Walgren, Emma Gregorich, Kyra Burkhart, and Heather Potkins,” he said.
“Veteran goalie Tara Yowek earned the shutout against arch rivals Trail and there has been outstanding work in the midfield by Abbie Willans, Hailee Gerun, Noa Butterfield and Naomi Perkins.
“Up front the speed of Allie Zondervan and Hanna Quinn caused all kinds of trouble for the Trail and Castlegar defence. International students Svenja Rennecke, Yu Takahasi, and Katarina Merckle all have played really well in league games and in the Oliver tournament held in late September.”
The team will now gear up for the Kootenay zone finals on Thursday, October 23 at the Pass Creek field near Castlegar and the right to go to Provincials in Oliver, November 6 to 8.