Jessica Kuzik tallied a hat trick and Casey Stanton added a pair of markers as the powerhouse CCHS Crusaders girls soccer club defeated Okotoks’ Foothills Composite Falcons 7-0 on Tuesday (Sept 23) at Millennium Field.
The dominant performance comes on the heels of a physical 4-1 win over Calgary’s Holy Trinity last week, as the Crusaders have now defeated the top two teams in their zone by a combined score of 11-1.
Armed with 11 players from the Avalanche summer soccer program, much of the team has played together for years, which was evident in their stingy defensive play and flowing offensive flair. The last time Canmore challenged Foothills Composite, they were destroyed 12-0, so Tuesday’s result is evidence they’ve got a greatly improved team.
Kuzik was the offensive star of the game, relying on skill, speed and determination to score her three goals against Foothills. Her first marker was a result of a slide tackle which opened the floodgates for Canmore. Her second goal was a well placed shot from the top of the box, while she used her speed and footwork to turn a Foothills defender, break in and beat the goaltender cleanly.
With Kuzik on the bench, Stanton took over offensively in the second half with a well placed shot from the left of the net to make it 4-0. She added another on a heads up play, capitalizing on a goaltender gaffe.
Tomi Postma then made it 6-0 after stealing the ball from the goaltender and finding the back of the net and Haley ‘The Bisch’ Bischoff put the final nail in the coffin with a header off a well placed cross.
Kuzik believes the team has the talent and teamwork to do great things this year.
“I think we have a pretty good chance (to win zones and the league). This is the best team I’ve seen since I joined,” Kuzik said.
Captain Sarah Price said the team used the stretch offence to their advantage against Foothills, while the defence anchored by Saidy Coyne was unrelenting when challenged.
“Sending the long balls so someone could break away really worked. Our defence was great. I think our goalie was really bored, which was a good thing,” Price said.
This is her second year as captain, and Price knows it will take more hard work and hustle to capture the titles they so desperately want to win. But the team knows teamwork is key to victory. Even though the team doesn’t have any Grade 12 players, they’re still accustomed to everyone’s style of play.
“A lot of us have played together for years. It helps to know who you’re playing with,” Price said. “We have so much talent. It’s great to win, compared to last year.”
Zones will take place in Carstairs on Oct. 3-4, while Canmore is likely to host a league playoff game on Oct. 9. If the team continues to roll, it could be a very successful game for the Crusaders.
