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Dar-Lyn Pools and Spas faced off against the Ripley RVilla Volunteers squad for the "C" division championship in Under-10 soccer.

The Volunteers opened the scoring early in the match when a Ripley striker scored in the bottom corner on Dar-Lyn Pools goalie Emmie Maurer. Just minutes after the opening score, Ripley struck again, this time a deflection past Maurer to put the Volunteers up two.  

Then the sky opened up and when lightning was seen, play was halted.

The weather delay seemed to be exactly what Big Blue needed. A change to Sammy Maurer in net seemed to spark the Poolers and on some excellent passing they evened the score about three-quarters into the first half at two-all. 

Not to be outdone, Ripley moved in front just before half-time on a squeaker past Maurer to end the half up 3-2.

The second half saw Emmie Maurer returned to the pipes and she played very well. Although Maurer was beat on a penalty kick, the game went back-and-forth until late in the half when Big Blue pulled out in front.

Then on a great strategic move by the coaches, Maurer was replaced in net by Josh Catelo. The move paid off as the greatest save of the year was made by Catelo on a point-blank shot by the Ripley forward. Some excellent defensive play preserved the 6-5 victory and gave Dar-Lyn Pools and Spas the “C” Division championship

When asked about the late-half goaltending change, coach Heather Beaton said, "We thought the game might go down to penalty kicks and although Emmie got a piece of the penalty kick during the game, it wouldn't have been fair to ask her to do that again. Josh had played well whenever we put him in net this year and we thought he might be our best bet in a shoot-out."

The Dar-Lyn Pools and Spas Under-10 soccer club appreciates everyone who followed the team all year.  See you next year!

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Tuesday, August 23, 2011