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OFSAA soccer memorable experience
St. Joe's missed a medal but were golden hosting the provincial tournament
June 14, 2024
By Rob J. Ross
ST. THOMAS - Hosting the OFSAA AA girls soccer championship is a memorable experience for the St. Joseph's Rams.
Although the team wishes they had a medal to hang up marking the occasion.
The Rams lost in the quarterfinals, losing 4-2 to Guelph Bishop Macdonell, denying the host team an opportunity to play on day three of the provincial high school tournament June 6-8 in St. Thomas.
"We ran out of steam that last five minutes and they got that 3-2 goal and that last one was right at the end," Rams coach Kevin Paiva said. "We left everything out there. Tough way to lose. We thought we were going to OT, but the girls played awesome."
Two Grade 10 Rams scored, Brooklyn Roskamp and Kylie Todd.
"It would have been nice to be playing (day three) especially hosting, but when you get to these games, it's tough," Paiva said. "We had two tough (pool) games and that quarterfinal game is always tough. We knew that from last year. We played well and the players did everything we asked of them."
Winning a pool never guarantees a spot in the semifinals. three of the four pool winners were eliminated by pool two seeds this year. The Rams couldn't complete the sweep.
St. Joe's opened the three day tournament with a pair of shutout wins on day one.
Todd with three goals, Coral Beecroft, Ruby Steen, Allie Rickwood, Avery Dowson and Sara Gonzalez scored in a 8-0 blanking of Timmins Theriault. Todd and Gonzlez had three goals each in a 9-0 silencing of Sudbury Alexander Carter. Dowson, Abi Faris and Dani Kidderr, had one goal each. Keeper Katie Ostrander had both shutouts.
On day two, Whitby Anderson CVI edged St. Joe's, 1-0, making the game against Tecumseh Vista Academy a must win. Dowson scored twice and goal credited to Abi Faris, lifting the Rams to a 3-2 win and a spot in the quarters.
A non club player, Dowson, team co-captain with Gonzalez, shined throughout the Rams' five games.
"We try to run our offence through her at the top of our mid field triangle," said Paiva. "She's a great athlete, great academically. She gave everything she had at OFSAA. We're going to miss her."
Dowson, the winner of St. Joe's Tommy White award, recognizing achievements over entire high school career, is attending Ontario Tech in the fall.
"We came out strong on day one of OFSAA which was definitely needed," Dowson said. "From encouraging each other, believing in ourselves, and playing as a team, we earned a place in the quarterfinals, but unfortunately fell short after a long two days of soccer."
St. Joe's hosted OFSAA soccer for the first time since 2012, as Paiva explained, wanting a shared experience between veteran teacher-coaches planning to retire within five years and younger staff wanting an experience with them.
St. Thomas has the fields, with Athletic and Password parks and as Paiva added, the blue print to host again, maybe local soccer supporters hope, sooner than another dozen years.
"Being able to host this year in my senior year gave me such a memorable and unforgettable experience," Dowson said. "Although we did not finish with any hardware, I would not have wanted to play with any other group of girls. OFSAA 2024 in my hometown was one to remember.
Holy Trinity won OFSAA gold for the second time in three years. For more on the gold match, visit Trinity back on top .
In their first season at the AA level, the Dorchester Beavers captured bronze. For more on the bronze game visit, Beavs bronze.
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