On August 3-5 the Arthur Intermediate Girl Aces competed at the Ontario Lacrosse Provincials in Whitby. The girls played four games over the three days coming away with two wins and two loses and silver medals to show for their efforts.
Game one was Tuesday afternoon against the Burlington Chiefs, this was a game that the girls needed to win for a chance at winning the A provincials. Despite their previous meetings with this team the girls kept themselves under control, despite getting 12 minutes in penalties and played lacrosse. Sydney Beam was on fire this game earning a hattrick. The girls got the ball rollling just a minute and a half into the game on a goal by Beam, assisted by Alicia Jackson. Just a minute later Beam hits the target again on a pass from Jackson. Beam scores her third of the game around the midway mark of the first, assisted by Haley Price and Brianna Plester, giving the Aces a three goal lead. A minute later Burlington closes the gap to two. Period two sees Burlington come within one goal at the 3:20 mark. Refusing to be kept scoreless in the second Emma Bryan comes around the Burlington net and fires a hard shot on net and hits the mesh gaining back the two goal lead. Aces goalie, Ashley Price, stands tall in the third keeping Burlington off the board and also assisting on the Aces final goal of the game. Scoring the final goal for the Aces was Shawna Terpstra, assisted by Plester and Ashley Price.
Taking the first game by a score of 5-2 this advanced the Aces along with Whitby, Clarington and Centre Wellington to battle for the A championship.
Game two was Wednesday morning against the Aces biggest rivals – Centre Wellington. What a game this was, lots of action from both teams. The Aces struck mesh when Becca Hostrawser scored for the Aces halfway through the first period, unassisted. Just 50 seconds later Centre Wellington ties the game at one a-piece. The next two periods was a goalies game, with both holding their opponents off the board forcing the game into overtime. What a stressful game for the coaches! No wonders I have so much gray hair! Into overtime the Aces go when unfortunately the Aces are assessed a penalty giving Centre Wellington the man advantage. Well....Centre Wellington are given the edge and sneak one by Ashley Price giving them the win by a score of 2-1.
Next game of the day was against the Whitby Warriors, the first place ranked team going into Provincials this year. The girls had their work cut out for them as they needed to win this game to advance to the championship game, which would be against Clarington or Centre Wellington. The first period saw the teams trade goals ending in a 2-2 tie after 15 minutes of play. Scoring both goals was Plester, assisted by Haley Price and Jackson. Period two the Aces worked up some power outscoring Whitby 2-1, giving them a one goal lead heading into the final frame. Scoring in the second was Hostrawser, assisted by Plester and Terpstra, unassisted. Adding more excitement, and a few more gray hairs, Whitby tied the game with nine minutes left in the game. This was anybody's game as both teams wanted the win just as much as the other. Julia Epoch gets a breakaway, on a pass from Hostrawser and runs down the floor as the fans watch her praying she hits the net, and Julia does just that. The fans go crazy, but the Aces still had seven minutes to hold off the Warriors. Goalie Ashley comes up strong and seals the 5-4 win for the Aces advancing them to the A championship game.
The championship game was not played until 6pm on Thursday, so the girls had ALL day to wait around, but they were not the only ones as the final game was against, who other than, Centre Wellington – they also had a full day to wait for the game. This was another close match for the Aces with each team scoring one in the first. Scoring for the Aces was Hostrawser, assisted by Haley Price. The Aces got things rolling in the second taking a 3-1 lead on goals from Plester, assisted by Haley Price and Terpstra, assisted by Plester and Hostrawser. But this was short lived as Centre Wellington closed up the gap to nothing, but Plester took back a one goal lead on a pass from Terpstra before ending the second period. Halfway through the third Centre Wellington tie the game back up. This was going to be a battle to the very end. At 4:23 Centre Wellington take the lead, unfortunately nobody is sure if this was a goal or not. The Aces work hard but are just not able to tie the game up as the final buzzer goes. A great team effort by all despite losing 5-4. Just wait till next year Aces, you can get them then.
The Intermediate Girl Aces proved to be a fearful opponent, with just 5 intermediate and 13 midget aged girls on the team. You all can be proud of your accomplishments this season and bringing home the silver once again. There is always next year....hope to see everyone back!