In a show of dominance, the Cochrane High Cobras girls’ soccer team finished their competitive regular season undefeated, winning their last game against the Bert Church Chargers at home with a score of 10-2 on Oct. 7.
Ava Zarowny found three openings on Bert Church for the Cobras, with Dusty Bennett and Amy Schmidtke scoring two goals each and singles going to Mel Bosse, Kora Niven and Simone Tas.
Carolyn McLeod, head coach for the Cobras, said their number one ranking in the Rocky View Sports Association means they will jump over quarterfinals. They automatically qualify for semi-finals which will take place Oct. 19 and finals are set for Oct. 21.
“From the semis to the finals, we are pretty sure that we will beat Springbank," McLeod said. "I mean they’re strong, but we just have to tighten up a few things. So, making sure that we don’t have players bursting through our back line. In terms of being able to push the offense through, we have just so much force up front, that makes it easy.”
McLeod said she is impressed with how well the team was able to gel together from the very beginning of the season since they did not get to play together at all last year.
“They really connect, as friends and as teammates," she said. "They support each other on the field and off the field. They have fun together and you can see it.”
The girls team anticipates the fun will continue at semis and finals, where they will get more organized opportunities on and off the field to sharpen up their teamwork.
“We’re looking forward to it,” said Elsie Hagen, a new Grade 9 player to the Cobras. “It’s going to be so much fun and there will be lots of team bonding over joint dinners and hotel stays. We’re a pretty good team, but we do need to strengthen up our communication a bit on the field, which we’re working on.”
Alexa Voss, also in Grade 9 and new to the team, said she hadn’t played soccer since the fourth grade and her time playing with the Cobras this season has reassured her decision to get back into the sport.
“My interest has developed quite a bit lately and now if it was up to me, I would live and breathe soccer,” she said.
