RICHMOND, BC - In front of a large crowd at Richmond's Hugh Boyd field on Sunday, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite secured the Metro Women's Soccer League (MWSL) League Cup title in only their first year in the league with a 2-0 victory over Surrey United.
The game started well for the 'Caps with some great passing. Early on, the tension of a cup final began to bring a physicality to the game, with many stops and starts and neither team able to get into a rhythm.
However, the break came for Whitecaps FC on 31 minutes when Sessen Stevens played a superb pass to Jasmin Dhanda, who turned and sent in Summer Clarke on a well-timed run. Clarke then finished her breakaway chance to send the 'Caps into the break with a 1-0 lead.
The second half saw the Blue and White have several very good spells of possession. A second goal nearly came for Clarke when she got behind the Surrey defence on a pass by Simmrin Dhaliwal, but her touch was a little heavy and went to the 'keeper.
The 'Caps finally doubled their lead on 68 minutes. Aman Shergill sent a free kick to the back post that was controlled by Rachel Jones, who then sent a shot off the post. Stevens was quick to the rebound and made no mistake on the follow-up to make the score 2-0.
The remainder of the match saw the Girls Elite squad keep possession and maintain their lead en route to victory. Goalkeeper Julia McDonald played well in goal and held on to all free kicks that were played into the penalty box to prevent any chances.
"It has been a tremendous first year in the MWSL for the Girls Elite program," said Whitecaps FC Girls Elite head coach Jesse Symons after the match. "The competition week-in week-out since September has been a great addition for the program. We really look forward to continuing to play in the MWSL.
"Having success in the first year - winning the league and league cup - has shown the level of consistency put forth by the players in the program," added Symons. "They have worked extremely hard and shown great dedication over the first seven months this year."
Whitecaps FC Girls Elite lineup
Julia McDonald; Rachel Jones, Aman Shergill, Carley Radomski, Chelsea Harkins; Jasmine Mander, Sam Dion (Margaret Hadley 62'), Seina Kashima (Simmrin Dhaliwal 45'), Reetu Johal (Sessen Stevens 28') (Sam Donald 72'); Jasmin Dhanda (Alessia Azermadhi 70'), Summer Clarke (Monika Levarsky 82')
Subs not used
Priya Sandhu
