By reaching the championship final, the Thompson Okanagan U13 girls have already made history.
This Sunday, the TOFC squad hopes to take it a step further by winning the regional soccer club's first ever B.C. Soccer Premier League title.
At 1:30 p.m. at the Apple Bowl, TOFC will battle Coastal FC in the Premier Cup season finale.
The Thompson Okanagan girls advanced to their first ever championship game with a 2-1 win last weekend over Mountain FC at the Burnaby Lakes West Complex.
For the majority of the first half, TOFC had the play in Mountain鈥檚 defensive third.
TOFC had its share of chances but the Mountain keeper was able to see and save all shots.
The midfield consisting of Abigail Taneda (West 琉璃神社), Kate Cartier and Annika Gross (both from 琉璃神社), the wingers, Ava Wright (Vernon) and Paige Cates (琉璃神社), and the striker Jordan King (Salmon Arm) played with high pressure, leaving Mountain few opportunities to break out.
Mountain was able to keep pushing and eventually got through into TOFC鈥檚 defensive end. With an opportunity to shoot, Mountain centre midfielder let loose a long shot that skipped on the wet turf and was able to fool the TOFC keeper Leisl Milovic (Kamloops). Moujntain led 1-0 at the half.
The second half started with aggressive play by both teams, many one on one battles in the midfield won and lost by both teams.
TOFC defenders, Jaidyn McGrath (West 琉璃神社) , Chloe Dalgarno (琉璃神社) , Sophia Clarke(琉璃神社) and Lauren Schmidt (琉璃神社) kept Mountain from getting many chances. Those shots that did get through were turned away by keeper Liesl Milovic.
TOFC secured a corner kick at the 40 minute mark and Abigail Taneda delivered a well placed ball in the goal area, Annika Gross was able to get a head on the ball after a bounce and deflect it off the crossbar and into the goal to tie the game 1-1.
At the 55th minute, Kiera Howaniec (Kamloops) had an opportunity outside the 18 and delivered a half volley laser to the back of the net, giving TOFC the comeback lead.
TOFC then put the game into high gear and played well defensively and continued to pressure the Mountain squad for the remaining time until the whistle.
