The Macdonald Cartier senior girls' soccer team made good on the old cliché - there's a first time for everything - Thursday by earning their first trip to NOSSA.
The Pantheres defeated St. Benedict 3-1 in the SDSAA senior girls' A championship on home turf. Karolyne Blaine, Cloe Lacasse and Natalie St-Laurent all scored for Macdonald Cartier. Morgan McCrory replied for St. Benedict.
The win allows Macdonald Cartier to go to the A NOSSA Championship for the first time in the school's history.
"It's been a very special season for us," Pantheres goalkeeper Stacey Kindt said. "It's just amazing we won. It means a lot to our school because we never won before. I don't believe it myself."
Macdonald Cartier sprung out of the gates in the game and sunk St. Benedict's hopes with three fast goals in the first half.
"We got some lucky goals early on and that was it," Macdonald Cartier coach Raymond Chevrette said. "St. Benedict came back and took the game to us for a while, but we were able to hold them off."
It was the first meeting between the two undefeated A Division clubs. Macdonald Cartier finished first with a record of 6-0-0, while St. Benedict was on their heels with a record of 5-0-1.
"The big thing for us, is by winning the city championship, we can now be classified as a high calibre team," Macdonald Cartier defender Emilie Vallee said. "This was a huge win for us and the school. It gives us a big boost heading into NOSSA."
The Pantheres credit their discipline and willingness to work hard as the reasons for their victory ride through the SDSSAA ranks.
"We busted our butts off every day in practices and games," defender Justine Champaigne said. "We didn't want to lose and we feel we earned this win. It's the best feeling going to NOSSA...we all feel privileged."
Macdonald Cartier will take on a team from North Bay on Monday, June 2 for the NOSSA A Championship. Game time at Sacre-Coeur is noon.
"We have to keep playing the way we're playing, even better for more success," Kindt said. "It's just another game and we hope we can add it to our undefeated season and go to OFSAA. It's a real gift to be part of this team...I wouldn't want to be on any other team."
St. Benedict took the loss well.
"It was a great final game," St. Benedict coach Mike Sipos said. "Our girls gave their all, but came up short. We had a lot of positive learning experiences this season we can use next year. This final really showcased how good the talent level is in Sudbury for girls soccer."
Macdonald Cartier will not be the only local high school team gunning for a NOSSA title at Sacre-Coeur on Monday. Here's a look at the other teams competing.
The Lockerby girls' squad goes for the NOSSA AAA gold at 2 p.m. versus a team from North Bay.
In the AA championship, Notre-Dame takes on a team from Sault Ste. Marie in a semifinal match at 10 a.m., while St. Charles takes on a team from North Bay in the other AA semifinal, also at 10 a.m.
The AA final starts at 4 p.m.
In the senior boys' A championship, St. Benedict won their first ever A championship banner by besting L'Horizon 3-1.
St. Benedict tallied goals from Brian Hennessy, Dylan Green and Mike Fabris. Gabriel Theriault tallied the lone marker for L'Horizon.
