The Greater Sudbury Soccer Club (GSSC) Impact U-15 Girls could not have envisioned the success of their 2012 campaign, even in their wildest dreams.
After finishing as a middle of the pack team in the Central Girls Soccer League (CGSL) Level 4 Premier division in 2011, the locals rose all the way to the top of the heap this summer, posting an impressive record of 10-2-2, including an undefeated span that covered their final seven games of the year.
Over the weekend, the Impact added bragging rights from the CGSL Level 4 League Cup, capturing the hardware after winning back-to-back games in Vaughan .
On Saturday, Sudbury eliminated the Oshawa Kicks 2-0, with Aymie Holota opening the scoring in the first half off a free kick, and Brenna MacMillan providing the insurance with a late penalty kick goal.
Battling the Unionville-Milliken Strikers on Sunday, one of just two teams to saddle the Sudbury crew with a regular season loss this year, the northern girls were up to the challenge at hand.
Keeper Megan Coutu injected her teammates with a little extra momentum, turning aside a penalty kick just six minutes into the game.
The save seemed to spark the locals, with scoring sensation Riley McEwen breaking the ice on a breakaway in the 20th minute.
After some tense play at both ends of the pitch, the Impact breathed a sigh of relief, courtesy of a header from Dana Isaia on a cross from McEwen with just 10 minutes to play.
In the end, Coutu combined with Oliviah Hamilton, with the duo sharing back-to-back shutouts as Sudbury blanked UMSC 2-0, duplicating the final score from 24 hours earlier.
Along with their success in both CGSL league and Cup play, the Sudbury crew also took top spot in the Impact Tournament in late July, creating an impressive resume for the young ladies who have been rewarded with a promotion to the CGSL Level 3 ranks in 2013.
