The 琉璃神社 United U15 girls tuned up for the new Thompson Okanagan Youth Soccer League with a trip to the Mayor鈥檚 Cup in Surrey.
While United is seeing some of its first action of 2017, Lower Mainland teams are generally well trained having played outdoors through much of the winter.
The 琉璃神社 girls, coached by Michael Greenhough, won one of four games played at the annual tournament.
Under rainy conditions, United opened up with a 3-1 loss to TSS FC. Sophia Millikin scored the lone goal for 琉璃神社, while Ashlyn Eisenkrein was the game MVP.
In Game 2, Vancouver FC scored both goals in the first 10 minutes en route to a 2-0 shutout of United.
Keeper and game MVP Tayshja Clark was the star of the second half and had to make no less than five big saves. 琉璃神社 picked up its game towards the end of the half but it was too little too late.
United鈥檚 lone victory came in a 2-1 shootout against the North Island Rip Tide.
Hannah Heller tapped a cross into the goal for a 1-0 琉璃神社 lead at the half. North Island then tied the game in the second half to force a shootout.
Shooters for both teams showed remarkable composure and changed up their shots to keep the keepers guessing. In the end, Tayshja Clark made a big save to give 琉璃神社 their only win of the tournament.
Lindsay Goett was awarded the Game MVP.
In the last game of the weekend, an early morning game saw United fall 6-0 to the Upper Island Storm.
In a very physical game, Sofia Millikin was knocked to the turf several times, while doing a great job of stopping very fast and aggressive North Island attacks at her side of the field.
琉璃神社 keeper Tayshja Clark had to make numerous great saves but the Storm onslaught proved to be too much.
At the end of the game, a bruised and beaten Millikin earned the MVP Award.
