Fast start sparks Huskies
Perry scores twice in the first 10 minutes and Hernewood never looks back en route to winning PEISAA intermediate A girls crown
CORNWALL – The Hernewood Huskies took control early and never looked back.
Savannah Perry, a Grade 9 middle striker, scored twice in the first 10 minutes to stake the Huskies to an early 2-0 lead en route to a 4-1 victory over the defending-champion and previously-undefeated Kensington Torchettes in the gold-medal game of the P.E.I. School Athletic Association Intermediate A Girls Soccer League.
The gold-medal match was played at the Terry Fox Sports Complex in Cornwall on Saturday morning.
“It was a very good final game,” said veteran Hernewood head coach Lincoln Rix. “They beat us (1-0) in the West Division playoffs (recently). We were looking forward to a rematch and we came out on top this time.”
The Huskies went into halftime up 2-0. Kenley Noye’s goal in the 40th minute made it 3-0 before Kloe Robinson got Kensington on the board in the 58th minute. Maggie Gamble’s goal for the Huskies in the 65th minute put the game out of reach. Jorja McLellan was the winning keeper.
Perry, 14, said the Huskies were a different team in the rematch against Kensington, and jumping out to the early lead boosted the team’s confidence.
“It gave us a bit of relief,” she said. “We played together more and played a little harder (than in Hernewood’s last game versus Kensington).”
TEAM EFFORT
Rix and assistant coach Janelle Perry credited the Huskies’ strong performance in the final to a total team effort.
“The girls worked together, they made some nice passes and they just weren’t there for themselves, they were there for each other,” said Janelle Perry. “They had teamwork during the game and it helped them pull through.”
Kensington head coach DJ Welton felt the game was closer than the final score may indicate. He found the play went back and forth and cited the Huskies’ quick start as a turning point.
“They got out quickly, got a couple of goals and had the momentum,” said Welton. “I think there were a couple of long stretches in the middle where we had the momentum but couldn’t seem to capitalize.
“Congratulations to them, they played well and it’s welldeserved on their part.”
Overall, Welton was pleased with the Torchettes’ season. He said executing the game plan was a big part of the team’s success.
“We were moving the ball wide, getting it up the field, crossing it in and playing well as a team,” said Welton. “We had a great group of Grade 9 girls who led the team along with some strong Grade 8 girls, who next year will be the leaders.”