The Stingers participated in the Ottawa Icebreaker Tournament this past weekend, returning to the site of their silver medal performance in 2007.  The tournament with its unusual format guarantees each team a multitude of games that coaches love as a means to evaluate players, and systems of play.

The girls won their Division despite dropping the first game 1-0 on a rather fortuitous shot that may or may not have crossed the touchline before the opposing player let fly with a long range speculative effort.  Despite the setback, the Stingers went on to win their two other preliminary games to clinch first place - on to the “double knock-out” playoff round.

The Stinger’s easily won their first playoff game 4-0 owed to a complete team effort and some rather spectacular finishing.  The result led to a rematch of last year’s final against the Flamborough Flames.  The girls played extremely well and dominated most of the match but could not find that elusive opening goal, and eventually went down to defeat 2-0.  The loss meant the Stingers were one loss away from elimination, and would have to take the long route to reach the final.  Sadly, the next game would be their last, as the girls came out flat, and were down two goals after the first five minutes.  Despite pulling one goal back, the equalizer never came.

Notwithstanding the results on the field, the girls and their travelling entourage i.e. parents and siblings, had a wonderful time.  No time to dwell on a somewhat disappointing weekend, as the league once again takes precedent.

Results:

Hudson / St. Lazare Hawks 1     Aurora Stingers 0

Aurora Stingers 3                       Cumberland Cobras 0

Aurora Stingers 1                       Mississippi United 0

Aurora Stingers 4                       Ottawa Internationals 0

Flamborough Flames 2               Aurora Stingers 0

Nepean Hotspurs 2                    Aurora Stingers 1

Disclaimer:  The opinions expressed in this, and all other articles are strictly the views of an interested bystander / parent reliving his glory years (hardly) through his daughter who bares the brunt of his insights (poor child).