Parkside Stampeders' captain Kaitlin Ellery, right, holds the WOSSAA championship plaque, while posing for photos with teammates, after defeating London St. Andre Bessette, 3-1, in the final, at Stoneybrook Field. (photo / Rob J. Ross)
Drive for five a
Parkside success
The Stampeders win their fifth consecutive WOSSAA AA girls' soccer title
Advance to the OFSAA tournament, June 7-9, in Tecumseh
Thursday, May 31, 2018
By Rob J. Ross
LONDON, ON. - It is becoming their annual tradition.
For the fifth consecutive year, the Parkside Stampeders are heading to the OFSAA AA girls' soccer tournament, the provincial championship for high school teams.
Taylor Goodhue, on a penalty kick, Katie Ellery and Petra Salin scored, as the Stampeders triumphed over the London St. Andre Bessette Bulldogs, 3-1, in the WOSSAA AA girls' final, at Stoneybrook Field.
"It now seems normal, but it still feels amazing that we're going there. It's a huge accomplishment," said Ellery, Parkside's captain who scored the winner. "We won it (OFSAA) two years ago and we're hoping to come out with a win again."
Parkside won OFSAA gold in 2016. Last year, the Stampeders were the consolation winners. The first two years, Parkside didn't advance from their pool.
This year, the Stampeders again went undefeated through the Thames Valley Regional Athletics season and opened WOSSAA with a 2-0 shutout of Stratford St. Mike's. Salin and Tiffany Johnston scored, with Aviva Fournie in net.
Along with Ellery, Nicole Carnegie has played at OFSAA every year of her high school career.
"It's actually really crazy. Going just one year is unreal. It has been fun with these girls and we've grown a really good bond," said Carnegie. "We all know how to work hard and work with one another. We have such a good bond that we make good plays and that helps us win games."
Both veterans agree on how the team remains strong every season.
"Our formation," said Carnegie. "We practice and work on technique a lot and we have all strong players. We don't have a weak bench. We have someone who can sub on at every position. When someone gets tired, we have someone just as good to go on."
It all starts with coaches Gerry Safadi and Curtis Langley.
"We have great coaching," Ellery said. We have players who can work together, pass the ball and we have good formation.
"It's a good atmosphere with no negativity."
The Bulldogs did give the Stampeders a little adversity in the WOSSAA final, scoring in the opening minute of the game.
"It woke us up. At first everyone kind of sunk their heads. We had a few yells, like, 'ok guys, lets' go. It's time'," said Ellery.
"There was shock," added Carnegie. "I looked at the girls and there was just silence. A goal just happened. That's not an often thing for us, to give up an early goal. But we knew it wasn't a big deal. It was just the first minute. I wasn't too scared."
This year OFSAA is June 7-9, in Tecumseh.
Parkside Stampeders, WOSSAA AA girls' soccer champions for a fifth consecutive season. (photo / Rob J. Ross)
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rob@hometownplay.ca