The Senior Girls Soccer Team made their own little piece of Echuca College History in Melbourne on Tuesday 3rd September at the State Soccer Centre, Darebin. In fact, they made their own piece of Echuca history. The first soccer team in the Echuca/Moama to win the State Schools Championship!
The girls were a mix from across the College(years 8 – 12), many of whom play with the local club or regional clubs and a couple who were just fine sportswomen prepared to be part of the team. The girls began in magnificent conditions rarely seen at Darebin and comprehensively beat Taylors Lakes 5 – 0 in the opening game. The College then faced up to Lowanna College from Gippsland and with what the State Schools coach described as “your girls played very attractive football properly” they won comfortably 3 – 0.
The toughest game in our pool was the last before the final against Canterbury Girls, an elite selective school in Melbourne’s east. As the self-belief continued to grow we scored 2 well crafted goals to qualify for the final which was to be against Ballarat.
Despite being deserving favourites the Echuca girls were fatigued after a 6.00am start. The girls did dominate possession but were lacking energy, however, with great courage they focused and early in the second half scored the winner from a goal mouth scramble.
Our girls did not immediately appreciate the enormity of their accomplishment but over time they will and deserve the praise to come their way.
Senior Girls Soccer Team
Jade Allen – Year 9
Maia Hall – Year 9 (1 goal)
Jessie Hardess – Year 11
Andrine Holt-Crossman – Year 9
Roweena Ilsley – Year 11 (1 goal)
Briony Milne – Year 10
Tegan Milne – Year 11 (1 goal)
Jessica Pitts – Year 10 (5 goals)
Kylie Thompson – Year 8
Siobhan Thompson – Year 10
Kayla Arkinstall – Year 11 (Capt.)
Ellie Denson – Year 12
Indre Christy – Year 12 (2 goals)
MVP – Jessica Pitts
Coach – Stewart Cheal
Team Manager – Cameron Prowse-Wilkins