The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Last weekend the Hapnot Collegiate Kopper Kweens won the Zone 11 high school soccer championships played in OCN. The weekend started with the Kopper Kweens playing hosts OCN, the team that knocked them from the tournament last year. The tables were turned as the Kweens came out 1-0 winners. The Kweens played solid defence while playing the ball to their midfielders who fed forwards Nicole Pawliuk and Kirsten Clark. However, it was defender Kyrra Kosar, who scored the only goal direct from a corner kick. "This was a game we wanted to win," said Kopper Kweens coach, Don Kirkham. "To beat the team that knocked you out last year is always nice. We had a plan going into the game Ð the girls stuck to it Ð and we came out winners." The Kopper Kweens came out confident against Thompson. Goals by Pawliuk (two) and Destiny Henry (one) sealed the win. The Kopper Kweens conceded their only goal of the tournament when a Thompson shot deflected past goalie Jacqueline Spence. The semi-final game against Norway House was all Kopper Kweens, who came out on top by a double digit score. This put Hapnot in the final against MBCI of The Pas after they defeated OCN. The final was hard fought. The Kopper Kweens midfield slowly took control of the game and deservedly took the lead from a Clark shot. MBCI fought back but could not break down the solid Kopper Kweens defence, and when the final whistle blew the jubilant Kopper Kweens celebrated as zone champions. "We kept them to three serious attempts on goal, but one shot was close at the end," Kirkham said. "Luckily for us it hit the bar and went over. It just proves that the harder you work the luckier you get" Heading into provincials in Altona on Oct. 20-21, the Kopper Kweens suffered two injuries as back up goalkeeper Chelsea Hathaway suffered a minor sprain to her right ankle. Defender Brandi Hanna, who was hit by a ball during a midweek exhibition game, is still out with blurred vision. Both are expected to be back in light training this week. With the team preparing for provincials, coach Kirkham is a confident person. "We fear no one. If you concentrate on the ball, who you play doesn't matter. The ball stays the same, any team who underestimates us is in for a shock."
