The Sudbury District Soccer Club (SDSC) Rocks U15 Girls had the first place East York Wildcats on the ropes Sunday afternoon at the James Jerome Sports Complex, but let them slip away.
Up 2-0 at the half, Sudbury surrendered three goals in the final 45 minutes, including the game winning marker just prior to the final whistle, dropping a 3-2 decision to the squad that tops the 16-team CGSL (Central Girls Soccer League) loop at 9-2-1.
Despite the setback, the Rocks remain solidly competitive, finding themselves in seventh place with a record of 5-3-4, and just three games to play.
"Our first few games, we didn't do as good, but as the season went on, we started to play more as a team, started to improve and winning games," said speedster Ariane Saumure, who accounted for one of the two Sudbury goals.
"We get down on ourselves a lot, we need to encourage one another, and just keep positive. I think that's what we're lacking - giving your teammates "high fives", telling them to keep going, those things."
Gia Grassi netted the other tally for the Rocks, while Isobel Brown, with two, and Antonia Gatti handled the offense for the winners.
The Sudbury girls are back on the road this coming weekend, facing winless Peterborough City and 14th place Newmarket, before closing off with a red-hot Oshawa Turul crew, at home, on September 10th.
Celtics U17 Boys
It has been a summer of "re-adjustment" for the Sudbury (SDSC) Celtics U17 Boys, making the move back to the CSL (Central Soccer League), after claiming top spot in the Huronia District Soccer League last summer.
Much of the core of this team competed in the CSL back in 2014, showing signs of improvement over the course of the season, before being relegated back to regional competition.
It's a fate that coach Peter Trainor and his lads are dearly hoping to avoid, sporting a record of 2-7-1, and sitting 12th in the 14 team division following weekend action.
To that end, the Celtics picked up a valuable point on Saturday, earning a 1-1 draw with Ajax FC at Queen's Athletic Field.
"We played well as a team, moved the ball fine, and our movement off the ball was OK too," said defender Jacxsen Cress, who accounted for the only Sudbury goal.
"Obviously, we don't want to come out here and take just one point, but it certainly wasn't the worst game we've ever played."
With the teams locked in a scoreless draw, Cress converted moments after a corner kick courtesy of Ben Runciman.
"The ball came into the box, I was in good space, we messed up a header, but the ball bounced right in front of my foot, and I pounced on it," said Cress.
A midfielder throughout much of his soccer career, the 16-year-old grade 11 student at Lively District Secondary School has accepted a move, this summer, helping to fill in a much-needed slot.
"I'm not a centerback, but I've been playing there this year," he said. "It's nice, in the sense that I can see a lot of the field. This gives me a nice perspective on where guys on my team like to be. It's a different perspective."
Following up the 1-1 deadlock with a 4-1 loss Sunday to Glen Shields, the Celtics will put a bow on their 2016 campaign on Sept. 10 and 11, facing Whitby and Pickering on the road for a pair of key outings against rivals situated just ahead of the Sudbury squad in league standings.
Royals U14 Girls
In Huronia League action, the Sudbury (SDSC) Royals U14 Girls made quick work of the Bracebridge Storm, bolting to a 4-0 lead in the opening 17 minutes, and cruising to a 9-0 win.
"That is our goal," said head coach Maurice Feron. "Getting the lead quickly, so that the rest of the game becomes easier."
Haylee Lavigne exploded with a five goal performance for Sudbury, with Allie Weiler (2), Katie Chomiak and Logan Waltenbury also jumping in on the attack.
Despite his team displaying plenty of firepower this summer, Feron was perhaps even more pleased with the contributions right across the pitch.
The defense grouping of Alexandra Baxter, Anna Weiler, Sam Micelotta, Emily Squarzolo and Hunter Mihaichuk, were rock solid, leaving keeperCierra St Germain to stop the handful of chances that the Storm could generate.
Meanwhile, midfielders Logan Waltenbury, Lilia Samuels, Julia Roy, Ella Cocco, Heidi Lamothe, Olivia Gingras and Katie Chomiak also earned praise, controlling the tempo of the game.
"They passed the ball very well, trying to find a gap in the defense," said Feron. "And they switched well, always supporting each other."
The team will wrap up the HDSL schedule, hosting the Bradford Eagles this coming Saturday at 2 p.m. at the James Jerome Sports Complex.
Impact U18 Boys
Finally, the Greater Sudbury Soccer Club (GSSC) Impact U18 Boys finished in style, recording a 3-0 road win over Toronto High Park, and boasting a mark of 8-1-5 in their final summer of youth soccer competition.
That impressive showing would see coach Nick Mancini and company earn a second place tie with Barrie S.C. in the 15-team CSL U18 loop, just four points back of Cherry Beach.
