Pitch perfect
Riverview Reds claim Division 1 girls soccer title
Riverview Reds claim Division 1 girls soccer title.
The Riverview Reds capped off a winning season with a 3-1 victory over Halifax West Warriors to capture the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation Division 1 girls soccer championship on Saturday.
The Reds, who hosted the NSSAF’s top division championship at the Cape Breton Health Recreation Complex turf field, had high hopes entering the competition after completing the regular season (8-0) and regional playoffs (2-0) without suffering a loss. The girls also won an invitational tournament in P.E.I. last month.
Riverview’s only loss the entire year was in the semifinal at a tournament in Antigonish, a 1-0 setback to Halifax West. The Warriors entered Saturday’s title game as the three-time defending champions. Riverview last won the provincial crown in 2011.
Head coach Maureen Ferguson said despite the talent on the Reds, they play well as a team. The club only has three Grade 12 players graduating from this year’s squad.
“Truly a team effort happened (Saturday),” she said. “Everyone was on the field at some point.”
Andrea Mahoney scored twice for the Reds, while Becca LeBlanc had the other goal. Jayden Boudreau scored the lone Halifax West goal.
Ferguson said Mahoney’s goal five minutes into the game gave her side some confidence. She also gave credit to keeper Brittany Lawrence, who made a key stop on a partial breakaway in the first half. Mahoney netted her second tally in the 70th minute, and LeBlanc struck in the 82nd minute to put the game away.
“It was really good competition and the girls played with heart and determination throughout the full 90 minutes,” said Ferguson.
The bronze medal match saw Bedford’s C.P. Allen Cheetahs edge the Sir John A. Mcdonald Flames of Upper Tantallon 2-1.
The finale was set up on Friday when Riverview, led by LeBlanc’s brace of goals, defeated the Cheetahs 2-1. The other semifinal saw Halifax West clip the Flames 2-1.
Among the other Cape Breton schools that competed in the various divisional playoffs at venues across the province, Cheticamp’s École NDA Acadiens won the boys Division 4 crown with 3-2 win over hometown Pugwash and Mabou’s Cape Breton Highlands Academy edged Pictou 1-0 to win the girls Division 4 title.
The Glace Bay Panthers, who hosted the Division 2 girls playdowns, lost their bronze medal match 2-0 to Hants East on Saturday.