Glengarry District girls claim senior soccer crown, Char-Lan wins junior title

SDGAA 'A' girls soccer playoff tournament held at Alexandria's Island Park

It was a glorious day for the beautiful game at Alexandria’s Island Park, where high school girls soccer champions were crowned. Glengarry District nabbed the senior ‘A’ title, while Char-Lan snagged the junior trophy.

The May 18 tournament was capped mid-afternoon when the Gaels seniors sailed to a 5-1 victory in the title tilt over the Crusaders. The Glengarry girls held the territorial advantage for much of the match, especially when the wind favoured them in the first half. Glengarry had a 3-0 lead at the interval.

The Gaels extended their advantage when a solid boot found the top corner. Midway through the half, Char-Lan got on the scoresheet, before the Glengarry side added a fifth tally late.

Mya Campbell paced the offence for the victorious Gaels, notching a pair of goals. Also scoring for Glengarry were Kayla McPherson, Brianna Bellefeuille, and Keira Kennedy, while Alison Oosenbrug had the lone Char-Lan marker.

With their win, the Gaels qualify for EOSSAA, ranked as the top seed. The tournament will be played in Alexandria, on May 24 and 25.

Members of the senior championship-winning Gaels are, in the back row from left, coach Kathleen Tonkin, Madison McLeod, Madison MacRae, Emma-Lynn MacGillivray, Trinity Marfurt-Breakenridge, Emily Jeaurond, Angelina Dewar, Leina Williams, and Isis McPherson. Kneeling: Nadia Jeaurond, Zoe McIntosh, Kayla McPherson, Abby Hardy, Brianna Bellefeuille, Keira Kennedy, and Mya Campbell. In front is goalkeeper Maya Fitzpatrick. (Sean Bray photo)

To reach the league playoff final, Glengarry dispatched La Citadelle in a morning semifinal match, 4-0, on goals from Mya Campbell 2, Nadia Jeaurond, and Maddie MacLeod. Char-Lan also won their semi with a shutout result, prevailing 2-0 over Holy Trinity. The goalscorers were Lilah Mines and Alison Oosenbrug.

The Gaels entered the day with an unbeaten league record of 8 wins and 1 draw (versus the Falcons).

For more background on the SDGAA season, please see this earlier story.

Junior Girls

The Char-Lan DHS Crusaders junior girls scored twice in the first half of the championship final, going on to win 2-1 over the Holy Trinity CSS Falcons.

HT’s goal came with 10 minutes left when a long arcing shot off the boot of Addison Roy found the back of the net. (Note: Apologies for the error in the video at the top of this page.)

Char-Lan’s goals were tallied by Claire Poirier and Cecilia Liolios.

Char-Lan’s junior girls are SDGAA champs. Standing, from left, are coach Graham Midgley, Danika Mader, Kelly McDonell, Tessa Davies, Charlotte Malyon, Evie Cockings, Claire Poirier, Taylor Rouleau, Sadie MacDonell, Kamryn Fraser, Lauren MacDonell, Layla McDonell, Kiana Yaghoubian, and Coach Shirley MacDonell. In front are Sophie Laplante, Paige Rombough, and Cecilia Liolios. (Sean Bray photo)

Credit for the wildest match of the day goes to Char-Lan and La Citadelle, with the sides combining for 11 goals. The Crusaders won 9-2. Claire Poirier notched a hat trick, and Taylor Rouleau had two tallies. Also scoring for the victors were Lauren MacDonell, Kamryn Fraser, Cecilia Liolios, and Sophie Laplante. Both markers the Patriotes were netted by Emily Villeneuve.

Holy Trinity’s road to the final was by way of upsetting top-seeded Glengarry District 3-2. The Falcons actually scored three goals to open the contest, before the Gaels made things interesting with a pair. Ebba Cummings had all three for HT, while Sarah Wilkie and Lindsay McPherson and the GD replies.

Char-Lan’s championship win earns the Crusaders a trip to EOSSAA, and they won’t have far to go, as their school is hosting the event on May 31.