Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite have gotten off to a flying start at the 2013 Gothia World Youth Cup with a pair of very impressive results against European competition.
Monday
The 'Caps opened the tournament with a 5-0 win over Swedish club Sköllersta IF on Monday. Two goals by Sam Dion in the first half and a hat-trick in the first seven minutes of the second half by Summer Clarke propelled the girls to victory.
They were back in action later Monday against Spanish club Gasteizko Neskak and again impressed with a 4-1 win. Four different goalscorers got on the board. Sam Dion scored in her second straight match off a free kick by Aman Shergill that she headed in. Following that was Kathryn Baker with a powerful header off a corner from Alessia Azermadhi. Single goals were followed from Jasmin Dhanda and Margaret Hadley.
Tuesday
They kept the momentum going on Tuesday with a 2-0 victory against Swedish side QBIK in front of a loud pro-Whitecaps fan base at Gothia Arena.
Two goals were scored by Summer Clarke (one in each half) to lead the way for the Girls Elite squad.
The girls started extremely well, scoring two minutes in as Sessen Stevens slipped a ball through to Clarke, who then placed it by the 'keeper.
In the second half, Reetu Johal created many chances by getting on the ball and playing in all of the 'Caps attacking players at various points. Similar to the first goal, a fine through ball was played in - this time from Johal - playing in Clarke who rounded the 'keeper and finished in the empty net.
The results have put them in first place after the first two days with nine points.
"The players have been performing well," said Girls Elite head coach Jesse Symons. "They're all very excited about representing the club in honour of Wendy MacDonald and are eager to continue to play well this week at the Gothia Cup."
Next up for the Girls Elite team is Wednesday encounter against Norwegian club SK Hardhaus, their final match of Group 2. A win or a draw against Hardhaus will be good enough for the 'Caps to top the group and get a bye into the quarterfinals on Thursday afternoon. A loss will see them play a Round of 16 match in the morning on Thursday.
