Richmond Strikers’ quest for a treble season marches on after a dramatic win in Coastal “A” Cup semi-final action.
The U14 Metro girls soccer team pulled out a 3-2 home field triumph over the Fraser Valley Selects last Sunday at Hugh Boyd. The Strikers are the lone Richmond team moving onto the Coastal Cup finals, slated for May 5-6 in Aldergrove.
They also remain in position to produce the prestigious “treble” as league, Coastal and Provincial Cup champions. The Strikers earlier captured regular season honours with a 17-3-2 record. That achievement guaranteed them a spot in the Provincial “A” Cup Championships which happens to be hosted by Richmond in early July.
“The girls set a lofty goal this year of not only winning the league but the Coastal and Provincial Cup too. As we have progressed they started to believe. They have had a great year and have really stepped up to the plate,” said Strikers coach Mandhir Punia who is joined on the sidelines by Greg Ng.
“Lot of it has to do with commitment. Not just to the sport but commitment to each other. That has really elevated their game this season. I couldn’t be more prouder of these girls.”
The Strikers have had some excellent battles with the third place Selects all season, including a scoreless draw and a 2-1 victory. The third meeting was no exception.
The teams headed into the second half tied at 1-1 and each converted penalty kicks after a hand ball and tackle from behind in the box. Fraser Valley carried the opening 10-minute overtime and Richmond responded with an excellent second period but the deadlock couldn’t be broken.
Fraser Valley enjoyed the early advantage in penalty kicks until Strikers’ goalkeeper Makayla Kusch made a couple of clutch saves to set her team up for the victory.
The Strikers roster also features: Alexandra Shury, Zoe Balback, Kiayra Hohlweg, Ashley Maedel, Kara Hikida, Christina Sofikitis, Janelle Tuazon-Cabido, Jaya Punia, Natalia Lawson, Mahara Remtula, Saniya Mann, Teagan Ng, Erica Forman and Ausha Kang.
Richmond will now face league runners-up West Vancouver Rangers in the cup final. The Strikers won both regular season meetings but the teams haven’t seen each other since late November. The Rangers advanced by slipping past Victoria 2-1.
Corner kicks…
U17 Richmond F.C.’s run as reigning Coastal and Provincial “A” Cup champions ended Sunday in Port Coquitlam with a tough 1-0 defeat to the Castillians.
In girls “B” cup action, the Richmond Selects impressive season ended with a 4-1 semi-final loss to the Burnaby Blaze.
On the boys “A” side, U13 Richmond United dropped a 1-0 heartbreaker in penalty kicks to the Surrey Selects.
