It was a busy month for members of the Quesnel Youth Soccer Association (QYSA) as the snow melted away and the fields dried up, athletes took to the fields.
Prospect Camp
Several members of the QYSA participated in the UNBC Timberwolves Women’s Soccer Prospect Camp May 3 – 4 at the Northern Sports Centre at UNBC.
Three players from the QYSA were luck enough to attend the camp; Mackenzie Samiet Grade 12, Kyra Teetzen Grade 10 and Haley Schotel Grade 10, took the opportunity to learn what is expected of the Canadian Interuniversity sport (CIS) level athletes.
These young Quesnel soccer players joined 25 other female athletes from Northern B.C., participating in field sessions and train sessions.
The camp ended with competitive games on Sunday afternoon.
“Quesnel Soccer is a significant contributor to the UNBC Women’s Soccer Program and the recently held Prospect Camp shows that there is the potential to have this trend continue,” UNBC head coach Andy Cameron said.
“Strong performances from Kyrs Teetzen, MacKenzie Samiet and Haley Schotel indicates that there is some good development work being done in Quesnel.
“I am hoping to create a viable pathway for these and other future players to achieve the CIS standard through the UNBC Timberwolves Program.”
Goalkeeper Haley Schotel was pleased with the positive feedback she received from the coaches as well as learning which aspects of her game she needs to improve.
There is high hopes for the young athletes of Quesnel, with several several former members of the QYSA, Tanya Grob and Brianna Kozak, now playing for the UNBC Timberwolves.
Season kick-off
The Cariboo Youth Soccer League kicked off the season in Quesnel Sunday, May 11.
A total of 17 youth teams coming from Quesnel, Williams Lake, 100 Mile House and Prince George took part in the Sunday matches,with the games separated into six divisions.
In the U16 boys division, Williams Lake was the big winner taking home two victories.
Going head to head against the Prince George athletes Williams Lake dominated, winning with a final score of 5-0.
Going up against Quesnel the Williams Lake team was met with more of a challenge, winning by only 1 point with a final score of 2-1.
It was a rough day for Prince George, suffering another loss with a final score of 4-2 in favour of Quesnel.
In the morning Quesnel boys U14 division rushed in to take the lead, winning with a final score o 4-3 against Prince George.
However, the players lost stamina in the afternoon and dropped their second game against Williams Lake.
It was a tough loss for the U12 boys division, with the Quesnel team playing and lossing two games against Prince George.
Still the players has pressed hard for the first games of the season and coach Eric Wickham was pleased with the boys efforts.
Quesnel's U16 girls took control of the field in their games against 100 Mile House, winning by a landslide with a final score of 4-1.
Later claiming another victory of 3-2 to edge out 100 Mile House.
Claiming another victory for Quesnel were the players of the U12 girls division, playing and winning games against 100 Mile House and Prince George.
In the morning Quesnel faced off against 100 Mile House in the U14 girls division, dominating the field with a final score of 3-0 in favour of Quesnel.
In the second match against the 100 Mile House players return with vigour, even leading at times during the match against Quesnel.
Midfielder Samantha Samiet scored a late goal for Quesnel off a corner kick, rocketing Quesnel into the lead with a score of 3-2.
A big save on a penalty kick by goalkeeper Rachel Schotel helped to keep Quesnel ahead to claim another victory for the Quesnel Youth Soccer Association.
With the season just beginning, soccer fans can likley expect more victories from the talented young athletes.