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Beavers win OFSAA AA soccer
bronze
Nolte on a PK and Snyders score as Dorchester edges Bishop Macdonell, 2-1
June 10, 2024
By Rob J. Ross
ST. THOMAS - On the provincial podium is where the Dorchester Beavers finished their debut season in AA girls soccer.
Faith Snyders and Bella Nolte on a penalty shot, scored as Dorchester edged Guelph Bishop MacDonell Celtics, 2-1, in the OFSAA AA girls soccer bronze medal match June 8 at Password Park.
"Feels really good," said Snyders who opened the scoring in the first half. "It was a letdown last game to not be able to win, but having the opportunity to score in this game and help us to eventually get the win, means a lot to me because it's my last year. So it's good to leave my mark."
The Beavers' run at a third consecutive OFSAA gold ended with a 2-1 loss to Hamilton St. Mary, in the semifinals. Julia Ritchie had the Beavers' goal.
Bradford Holy Trinity beat MacDonell in the other semifinal.
Holy Trinity won gold for the second time in three years, holding off St. Mary, 2-1. For more on the gold match, visit Trinity back on top.
For more on the Rams hosting, visit Rams welcome the province.
Tied at one late in the bronze match, the Celtics were called for a foul in the goalie box, leading to a Dorchester penalty kick.
Nolte was quickly called to take the shot, even while playing on a sore leg throughout the tournament.
"It was a lot of pressure, but I tried to relax and place it where I wanted to go," Nolte said. "The goalie dived the other way and I just slid it in. We practice pens a lot. I'm glad I knew where I wanted to go and have done it many times."
The Beavers then stacked the defensive zone to defend their lead.
"The girls really stepped it up this tournament," Nolte said. "I'm still upset that we couldn't clinch the (semifinal), but this does make up for it, because I just love being here with the girls and achieving what we have."
Snyders and Nolte, team co-captains, are the only Grade 12 players on the team.
Dorchester has appeared in five consecutive quarterfinals at OFSAA, but this is the first year as an AA school. Back to back OFSAA champs at the A levels, expectations were more modest coming in to their AA debut.
"I was a little skepital at first. I wasn't really sure how well we were going to do, especially when we faced good teams at WOSSAA," Snyders said. "As soon as we got here (OFSAA), we played our best and after our first few games I was pretty impressed. I thought, we have a shot of winning this."
Both Notle and Snyders lost their Grade nine year to COVID, but quickly noticed in Grade 10, in 2022, the Beavers had a talented team with great potential.
"I wasn't sure what I was expecting going in and then I tried out for the team and it turned out to be really good," Snyders recalls. "I wasnt sure how much I was going to play and now being able to score in my final game is really nice."
Synders heads to the University of Guelph this fall for Biomedical Science.
Two year ago, Nolte won OFSAA alongside her sister, Annika, then developed into a clutch goal scorer.
"It's really hard knowing it's my last game of the season and high school soccer," Bella said. "My last big high school event is really sad, but I'm really glad we could pull it together to get the bronze and another medal for the school."
Bella also has been instrumental helping her club teams win Ontario Cups, two during the outdoor season and two indoor titles. This fall, Bella rejoins her sister at Nipissing University and believes Dorchester will again be an OFSAA threat next season.
"We still have a big core group of girls. They're so strong and passionate," said Bella. "I think they can do it. I'm going come out to as many games as I can, to watch and cheer them on."
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