On Sunday July 15th the Abbotsford Mariners Women played the Norvan Women’s premier team as a warm up for the Provincial Cup. This was a test for the Mariners to see where they would fit in the Premier league for the coming fall season.

The game started with both teams testing each other’s pace of play. The Mariners pushed the Norvan defence trying to cause a gap in the back line, only to be blocked with their attack. The Mariners went into a possession style of play and again tried to build an attack. They were able to penetrate the back line a little bit more. Knowing that they would be in tight to squeak a shot on goal they continued until the end of the first half.

The Norvan team came out with a different game plan during the second half and the Mariners pressed even harder. The Mariners mid field line played a great ball to the outside left where Michele Yakashiro took a run down the line and placed a perfect cross to Erin Slack who one touched a great strike into the back of the net.

Norvan equalized 10 minutes later with a nicely place corner kick that tipped the Mariners keeper to an unmarked player who slotted the ball in for the equalizer.

The Mariners not wanting to keep the score level played some very fast paced soccer. Frustrating the Norvan team to the point of some hard tackles, drawing a penalty 10 min from time on the left 35 yards from goal, Angela French stepped up to blast the ball into the top right for the go ahead goal. Just an awesome strike. The Mariners held on for the win. A very good test for the promoted Mariners team.

The Mariners have signed Alisah McPhee a former All Canadian with the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association. Alisah from Williams Lake played her college soccer career with Capilano College. During her college career she was in the top 20 all time scoring leader honour roll. Alisha is the kind of playmaker the Mariners have been looking for.

Mariners have also signed Jess Hartl a product of Abbotsford Soccer. She played her college soccer with UCFV. While playing college soccer Jess had made the BC college athletic association All Star team on a couple of occasions. After learning the system Jess will be another great addition to the strong Mariners back line.