On Dec 4-6, the Barrie Spirit u17 Girls team travelled to Wixom, Michigan, just outside Detroit, to participate in the Rated Sports US Winter Showcase at the Total Sports Complex. The team departed from the OSA Centre by coach on Friday afternoon for their home for the next 2 days, the Westin Hotel in Southfield, Michigan. On Saturday morning, the first stop on their itinerary was a visit to Oakland University for an introduction to university life, including a guided tour of the university, residences and athletic centre and lunch at the university cafeteria with the womens’ and mens’ soccer teams.
On Saturday afternoon, the team finally got to play their first game, and were full credit for a 2-1 victory over the OYSL bound West Rouge Storm. Game 2 was early Saturday morning, perhaps too early for the Barrie players who fell short to a very good Michigan Hawks team. The team regrouped however, and came out strong in a 0-0 draw against the North London Galaxy OYSL in their final game on Sunday afternoon. The weekend showcase was the first of several planned for this year, and was a successful introduction to the showcase process for the players.
Barrie Spirit '93 2 - 1 West Rouge Storm / OYSL
The Barrie Spirit players appeared nervous following the opening kickoff and seemed content to watch West Rouge carry the play in the early part of the game. After about 10 minutes however, Barrie settled down and started taking the play to West Rouge. They were rewarded for their efforts part way through the half when Breanne T. took advantage of a misplayed ball by the West Rouge GK just outside the 6 yard box and deposited it into an open net. The teams exchanged a few chances for the balance of the first half which ended with Barrie leading 1-0. Barrie continued its confident play in the 2nd half and went ahead 2-0 on a goal by Marlee K. It appeared that this score would hold until West Rouge was able to put one past the Barrie GK late in the game. Final score Barrie 2 – 1 West Rouge. A solid performance was put in by Barrie GK Jennifer P. was not overworked with shots but controlled everything in the 18 yard box and a made a few key saves when required..
Barrie Spirit '93 0 - 5 Michigan Hawks
Saturday morning was not kind to the Barrie Spirit. They were unable to compete with a very talented Hawks team which controlled the game from start to finish with a precise, controlled possession game, scoring early and often enroute to a convincing 5-0 final score. The game was a great learning experience for the Spirit girls who were able to witness what could be achieved through a commitment to team play.
Barrie Spirit '93 0 - 0 London Galaxy / OYSL
Following a post game 2 debriefing and discussion, the Spirit players were determined to apply lessons learned from that game and to improve on that performance. Their determined effort resulted in a 0-0 draw with their 2nd OYSL opponent of the weekend. In a game played largely between the 18 yard boxes, both teams applied consistent pressure on the other with few scoring opportunities to show by either team. A solid effort from all players and a fair result for the showcase final game..
