JUMP TO GAME REPORTS
Stars shine brighter then ever
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| Cleve Dheensaw, Times Colonist |
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Pro Liz Hansen spent the winter with Doncaster FC, playing the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool, in the English Women's Premiership of soccer.
Yesterday, she was stalking Semiahmoo in the Pacific Coast League and scoring twice to lead the undefeated Victoria Stars to a 3-0 victory at Hampton Park.
The powerhouse Stars, with a healthy helping on the roster of UVic Vikes grads from the 2005 CIS national championship squad, moved to 5-0 on the season and have outscored the opposition 16-3.
"It's ridiculous the depth we have on this team," said former Vikes striker Hansen.
 "We can score from all over the park and we have players sitting on the bench who could start on any other team in the league."
There is a lot of talent on this Stars team, not the least being Hansen.
Her career has been uncanny in mirroring that of basketball player and 2000 Sydney Summer Olympian Eric Hinrichsen. Both Hansen and Hinrichsen came out of Cortes Island and starred in high school sports at Carihi in Campbell River before becoming great Vikes athletes at UVic and going on to play pro in Europe.
"They don't play basketball or hockey in England . . . all they do is soccer . . . it's the main focus of their sports interest," said Hansen, of her experience as a pro soccer player in England.
Amy Thorogood, like Hansen a member of the 2005 CIS champion Vikes squad, scored the other Stars goal yesterday.
"This is the best female soccer I've seen in Victoria in a long time," said Stars head coach Brent Garraway.
"There are no weak links. We have 20 players and all 20 could start."
What makes this group all the more special is that it has come up together through Metro rep teams and, later, UVic.
"Most of us have played together before at some point in our lives," said Stars standout Kate Hambleton, another former CIS champion out of UVic.
"This is a unique group. We have a real ability to get to the net."
And a clear proficiency to finish when they get the ball there.
So too does Victoria's male entry in the PCL. Both Victoria United and the Stars have yet to lose in league play and have a combined eight wins and a tie in nine fixtures.
Although both are in the PCL, the Stars and United organizations are not affiliated. They are, however, currently bound together on the undefeated side of the ledger.
cdheensaw@tc.canwest.com
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008
GAME REPORTS
VSFC 6-0 NSG Eagles
Sun June 8, 2008
Victoria Stars brought their record to 10-1 with weekend victories over the visiting Kelowna United and North Shore Eagles.
Sunday versus North Shore, the Victoria side peppered keeper Sam Duncan with shots. Kendra Flock converted a Jackie Snell cross at 10’. Fifteen minutes later, Flock beat her mark along the endline and passed to Liz Hansen for an easy tap in. Stars keeper Corey Gros stepped up at 35’, North Shore forward Danni Tabo broke in alone, but Gros charged out to meet her and blocked the shot. Kendra Flock put the game out of reach, converting an Amy Thorogood pass at 38’ and then finishing a play started by Jocelyn Smith. The score at the half was 4-0.
Flock continued her personal onslaught at 55’ on a pass from Janelle Smith. Amy Thorogood closed out the Stars scoring at 87’, when she scored off a setup from Sarah Cameron. Final score 6-0.
“It was an interesting weekend,”said Stars GM George Stewart, “we had no idea what to expect from Kelowna. They played well and challenged us all over the field. We had better chances and eventually capitalized, but our keeper came up big when we needed her. We had played North Shore earlier in the year and won 2-1 at their park. On Sunday we controlled the game. Kendra was exceptional. The combination of her and Liz up front makes it very difficult on our opponents"
VSFC 3-0 Kelowna
Sun June 8, 2008
 A rare Saturday evening game at the Hampton Park turf field versus a quick energetic Kelowna gave the Stars a chance to show the hometown fans what they could do. United keeper Jeanette Paine saw a lot of the ball in the first half but was only beaten by a Liz Hansen penalty at 25’. With the score 1-0 at the half, Kelowna came out and took the game to Victoria in the second half. United forward Jill Flockhart carried for 60 yards before breaking in on Stars keeper Corey Gros. In a game turning save, Gros came out to stop the breakaway and then stopped the rebound. The Stars gradually regained control of the game and at 73’ United keeper Paine was unable to hold on to a hard drive by Kate Hambleton. Liz Hansen was there for the rebound. Caitlin Milloy put the game away for the Stars two minutes later; her bicycle kick off a corner gave Paine no chance. Victoria carried on to win 3-0.
Surrey Utd., 3-5 VSFC
Sun June 8, 2008
 Sunday in Surrey, on a chilly day at the beautifully manicured Cloverdale grass field, the Stars took it to Surrey United. If not for the heroics of keeper Stephanie Moingnard, the United squad would have been down by two after ten minutes. As it was it took Victoria 14 minutes to hit the scoreboard. Liz Hansen picked up her first of the day on a 16 yard shot from the left side. Hansen scored again at 21’ with assists from Amy Thorogood and Kate Hambleton. At 28’ Hansen converted a pas from Catherine Cullen. Not to be discouraged, Surrey kept at it and got a goal on a long shot by Jackie Dunnett at 31’ and then at 42’ Surrey made a game of it on a goal from 12 yards by Ellen Kuyer. The score at the half was 3-2.
 Try as they might the Stars couldn’t put Surrey away. At 52’ Liz Hansen had her shot deflect in off a Surrey defender, but at 60’Courtney Duncan replied for Surrey. Stars Midfielder Catherine Cullen finally put the game out of reach with her goal off a corner at 65’.
“We had an incredible number of chances today, our girls moved the ball well. Surrey’s keeper kept them in the game. Once again it was a fun game to watch,” said Stars GM George Stewart
Tri-Cities Xtreme 0-1 VSFC
Sat. June 7, 2008
 Victoria Stars brought their record to 8-1 with road victories over Tri-Cities Xtreme and Surrey United. The Saturday game vs Tri-Cities at Dr. Charles Best turf field was a tight game with neither team having many good scoring chances. The score at the half was 0-0. The best chance of the half, came when Xtreme forward Phebe Trotman headed a corner wide. At 55’ Stars central midfielder Sarah Cameron provided the only goal of the day. Her shot from 25 yards bounced under a diving Kasia Gwiazda. The late introduction of Sarah Boulton gave Tri-Cities an injection of energy, but the Stars were able to defend, and come away with the victory.
“A number of their players have played at the highest levels, it was an interesting game to watch. Matching up against Phebe Trotman or Sara Maglio was a good experience for our younger players. Sarah Cameron in the middle of the field had an excellent game for us. The team played well,” said GM George Stewart.
Fraser Valley Action 1-0 VSFC
Sun. June 1. 2008
Sunday at Fraser Valley was an entirely different affair. Each team probably had three good scoring opportunities, with Action forward Daniela Gerig capitalizing at 27’ to score the only goal of the match. Sarah Cameron had a chance to tie it up at 83’, but a diving save by Fraser Valley keeper Veronika Rogina preserved the victory. “It was a battle in the trenches today, said Stars GM George Stewart, they were fresh and we had played yesterday and then got up for an early ferry ride. We look forward to the rematch.”
VSFC 7-0 Semiahmoo SC
Sat. May 31. 2008
Victoria Stars came away with mixed results on the weekend. A 7-0 drubbing of the PSSA Rapids on Saturday was followed by a tight 1-0 loss to Fraser Valley Action. The weekend’s action leaves Victoria with a 6-1 record.
Saturday at Hampton turf field, the Stars controlled much of the game. At 23’ Liz Hansen was sent in on a breakaway by Kate Hambleton. She beat PSSA keeper Tiffany Cruz low to the corner. Six minutes later, Amy Thorogood used some fancy footwork at the top of the eighteen to get open for a curving shot into the high corner. Liz Hansen and Sarah Cameron scored in the last two minutes to give the Stars a 4-0 lead at the half.
The Rapids managed to keep Victoria off the score sheet for much of the second half, but at 80’ Stars newcomer Kendra Flock dribbled past the last defender and slid the ball into the corner. At 86’ Flock counted again. Facing her defender, she flipped the ball over the defender’s head, moved around her and volleyed the ball into the goal. Victoria’s final goal came from Tessa Margetts.
One bright spot on the day for the Rapids was the play of Rosie Zadra. The diminutive forward used her speed to challenge Stars keeper Corey Gros in the first half and used some good footwork to get in alone for two shots on Stars second half keeper Steph Parker.
VSFC 3-0 Semiahmoo SC
Sun. May25th. 2008
Victoria Stars raised their record to 5 – 0 with a victory over visiting Semiahmoo SC. After an initial feeling out period, the Stars banged in two quick ones off almost identical plays. At 15’ Jackie Snell crossed from the left side and Amy Thorogood volleyed past Semi keeper Alyssa Maxwell. Two minutes later, Kate Hambleton crossed from the right side of the field and Liz Hansen volleyed into the net. Hansen put the game out of reach at 39’. She curved her free kick around the wall and past the surprised keeper. The score at the half was 3 – 0.
Victoria controlled much of the second half, but Semi defended well and Maxwell made a couple of saves to keep the score respectable.
The Stars have a number of new faces this year and they are jelling into a nice cohesive unit. Midfielder Sarah Rhodes leads the league in scoring with 5 goals and Hansen is one goal behind her. Newcomer goalkeepers Corey Gros and Steph Parker provide solid play in the nets. “Our backs, our midfielders, and our forwards are all giving us high intensity performances. They have bought into coach Brent Garraway’s system and are playing an entertaining, offensive brand of soccer,” said Stars GM George Stewart
Next up for Victoria on Saturday the 31st is a home game against PSSA Rapids and a Sunday game at Fraser Valley.
VSFC 3-1 Surrey United
Sat. May24th. 2008
Victoria Stars continued their early season Pacific Coast Soccer League win streak with a 3 – 1 Victory over the visiting Surrey United. It was a hot afternoon on the turf at Hampton Park. Victoria struck first at 12’. Stars forward Kate Hambleton carried from the side to the top of the 18 yard box. She slid a pass across to Sarah Rhodes. Her hard shot tipped in off the crossbar, giving Surrey keeper Stephanie Moingard no chance. Hard work by Liz Hansen led to the second Stars goal at 33’. Hansen saved the ball from going off the end line. Her pass found Janelle Smith on the sideline. Smith’s cross was headed into the net by Hambleton.
Surrey made it interesting at 53’. Kaitlen Davey blasted a 24 yard free kick into the top right corner. The Stars had numerous opportunities to put the game away, but crossbars and Moingard stood in their way. Finally at 83’, more hard work by Hansen set up the second tally of the game for Sarah Rhodes. Hansen chased the ball from defender to defender deep in the Surrey end. She won the ball and sent a perfect cross for Rhodes to nod into the net.
“ We played a good game today, interesting soccer , knocking the ball around well. There were a couple of lapses but we defended and didn’t allow them too many chances. We had numerous chances at goal, and could easily had another goal or two,” said GM George Stewart
North Shore Eagles 1-2 VSFC
Sat. May 17th. 2008
 Victoria Stars came away from a weekend on the road with a maximum six points. The Stars defeated North Shore Eagles 2-1 on Saturday and bested Semiahmoo SC 5-0 on Sunday. It was a muggy afternoon on a slow field at North Shore. Victoria had a number of early chances, Liz Hansen's shot off the crossbar, Amy Thorogood rolled the ball wide on a break, but it was up to North Shore to score the first goal.
At 25' Lisa Furutani got free on the wide right and broke in alone on Stars keeper Corey Gros. The Eagle forward hit the ball passed the charging keeper. Victoria finally got on the scoreboard at 40'. Amy Thorogood danced around the top of the box.. She found an opening for a shot and curled it into the far corner.
The second half was mostly Victoria.
The Eagles seemed to wilt in the heat and long grass. Victoria midfielder Sarah Rhodes was brought down in the penalty area at 68'.She put the ball behind Eagle keeper Sam Duncan with little difficulty. That was all Victoria needed for the day.
Semiahmoo 0-5 VSFC
Sun. May 18th. 2008
Sunday in South Surrey, a sunny afternoon with a breeze blowing in off the ocean, on a quick turf field, it was an ideal setting for summer soccer. Victoria controlled the game from beginning to end against a hard working Semiahmoo team. Lots of shots but little finish was the early story. Semi keeper Alyssa Maxwell managed to foil the Stars, when they weren't shooting high or wide. It was inevitable that Victoria would eventually convert one of their chances.
Amy Thorogood opened scoring at 37'. Hard work in the penalty area brought her face to face with the keeper. She pushed the ball past her for the opening tally. Despite a large territorial advantage it was 1-0 at the half. Liz Hansen widened the margin at 57' with her high hard shot from 20 yards.
It was then time for the Sarah Rhodes show. She scored on a shot at 65'. Then at 68' she was brought down in the penalty area and slotted in her second penalty kick of the weekend. Janelle Smith closed out the scoring at 75'. Keeper Steph Parker saw her first action as a Star, taking over from Corey Gros at the half. Both were solid on a relatively quiet afternoon.
"We had a good weekend" said Stars GM George Stewart. "We generated a lot of scoring opportunities over the last two games, our finishing needs work but it is definitely improving."
VSFC 3-1 Van. White Caps Res.
Sat. May 10th. 2008
 Victoria Stars opened their 2008 Pacific Coast League season with a 3-1 victory over the visiting Vancouver Whitecap Reserves.
The game was played at Hampton turf field on a perfect spring day. The Caps came out strong, forcing four corner kicks in the first ten minutes, all to no avail. Gradually Victoria gained momentum, and at15’ Kate Hambleton got free on the far right side. Her shot from 25 yards went over the keeper Shimone Slomowitz and dropped into the far corner.
The score at the half Stars 1 Caps 0
Some nifty passing and unselfish play gave Victoria a 2-0 lead at 50’. Liz Hansen carried the ball deep to the corner. She passed to Kate Hambleton at the top corner of the 18 yard box, sliding the ball across to Amy Thorogood at the other side of the goal.
Her short pass gave Jackie Snell an open net. At 55’ Liz Hansen found a way around the wall with a free kick from 23 yards on the right side. Her well taken shot caromed in off the far post. Not to be discouraged, the Whitecaps came back with a fury.
Their efforts were rewarded at 70’.
A wild melee in front of the Victoria goal saw the ball cleared off the line three times, before Alicia Tisan finally scored. Even her effort never touched the back of the net, the referee’s assistant made the call from the sideline.
The Caps kept coming, but the Stars regained their composure and were able close out a well earned 3-1 victory. Stars keeper Corey Gros had a strong game. She controlled her area and cleaned up the numerous through balls.
“We played well. Our girls worked hard and played an intense, intelligent game,” said Stars Coach for a day George Stewart. “The Whitecaps always field a challenging squad, it was a good way to open the season.”
“It was an entertaining game to watch,” said Whitecaps coach Alan Churchard.
Victoria heads over to the mainland next weekend for games against North Shore and Semiahmoo.
for more information contact:
George Stewart: 592-4176 or janastewart@shaw.ca
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