Eagles soar to D8 championship
St. Mary’s captures soccer crown with 5-1 win over St. David
WATERLOO — Their halftime talk made all the difference.
The St. Mary’s Eagles exploded for four second-half goals Wednesday to capture the District 8 girls’ soccer championship with a 5-1 win over the St. David Celtics. Grade 10 striker Lexi Kroeker led the St. Mary’s attack with three goals, Daphne Loree and Alex Bassanse added singles, and the Eagles won their first league title since 2014 on a sunny, windy afternoon at RIM Park.
“We had a conversation at halftime and we knew exactly what we had to do ... we had to work together as a team and stop playing as individuals,” said Kroeker. “And we had to keep shooting every chance we got ... you’re not going to score if you don’t take shots.”
St. David goalkeeper Hannah Petrosino was outstanding in the early portion of the second half and made huge stops on Kroeker, Loree and Alex Oliviera to keep the game tied 1-1. Kroeker scored the winning goal in the 65th minute when, unmarked, she tapped in a perfect corner-kick cross from Oliviera. Loree scored nine minutes later to supply the Eagles with a two-goal cushion. Late markers by Kroeker, on an outstanding feed from Jyanessa Seally, and Bassanse rounded out the scoring.
The Celtics did have periodic opportunities in the second half but Taya Johnson, the Eagles’ Grade 9 goalkeeper, was more than up to the challenge. Johnson was steady throughout and made nice saves on Lauren Thomson, Maddie Swart and Hayley Kersten.
“It’s tough to end the season like that, 5-1, but I’m proud of my team,” said Celtics midfielder Jocelyn Orellana, the team’s only graduating player.
“We have a bunch of Grade 9 players and they all worked so hard.”
Lily Triantafilou opened the scoring for St. David in the 19th minute and Kroeker knotted the game just six minutes later after a fine individual effort by Nikolina Lesic, who was a physical presence for the Eagles.
Defender Thalia Cruz had a strong game for St. David, which clearly missed Victoria Jensen on attack. Their Grade 11 striker broke her leg playing soccer over the weekend.
The Eagles and Celtics will continue their seasons next week at the Central Western Ontario (CWOSSA) championships, with the Eagles playing at the triple-A tournament in Kitchener and the Celtics travelling to the double-A tournament in Brantford. “I think we have a good chance at the CWOSSA if we played like we did today and throughout the season,” said Kroeker. “We’re still improving.”
Meanwhile, St. David received a three-goal performance Kahlib Stewart as the Celtics defeated the Monsignor Doyle Mustangs 3-1 in the District 8 senior boys’ championship. Roni Albazee scored for the Mustangs. St. David advances to CWOSSA double-A championship in Paris and Monsignor Doyle’s season is over.
The Waterloo County (WCSSAA) finals are Thursday, with the Grand River Renegades facing the Waterloo Collegiate Vikings in the girls’ final and the Sir John A. Macdonald Highlanders taking on the Cameron Heights Golden Gaels in the senior boys’ final.