They did it again.
The Cochrane High School Cobras have won out in 2014, going undefeated to claim both the South Central Zone and Rocky View Sports Association division titles. It was Cochrane’s sixth-straight Zone title.
The Cobras went undefeated at the Oct. 3-4 Zone tournament in Carstairs, needing extra time to defeat Holy Trinity Academy of Okotoks 4-1 in the final.
“That was probably one of the hardest games we’ve had in recent history. They came on strong. We knew they were going to be strong,” Cobras head coach Carolyn McLeod said of the Oct. 4 South Central Zone final at Tiny Lafleur Park in Carstairs. “We had a strategy in place. But we were basically under fire the whole time. We finished regulation at 1-1 and the girls had to dig way deep to come out with the win on that.
“It was really a survival of the fittest out there.”
Cochrane had to regroup and tackle No. 2 Springbank in the Division final just three days later.
The Phoenix weren’t giving anything away, holding Cobras to a 0-0 tie at the half. Springbank did a good job bottling up the middle of the field and forcing Cochrane’s strikers wide.
But the kept bringing the play at the Phoenix with Carly Neis and Taylor Chace scoring for Cochrane in the second half for the 2-0 final score.
McLeod attributes her team’s success to the depth on the roster.
“We don’t rely on the same 11 girls to carry the team,” she said. “We try as best we can to play all the girls all season. When we come down to the big games, if we have to throw anyone into any situation they’re somewhat prepared for it. “That way if somebody does go with an injury we’ve got someone who can take that spot.”
Cochrane High’s roster depth does take a hit with seven players graduating this year. Not returning are Paulina Zuczek, Anna Robitaille, Cara Cook Clarie Clarkson, Emily Rendell, Mikaela McNab, Callie Morris, Leah Polson and Brette Matheson.
