U11 Strikers Move Into First

The U11 Chatham Strikers took a share of first place in the Elgin Middlesex District Soccer League this week, adding a decisive win to their record.

Playing against a very good Lambeth team, that had handed Chatham their only loss in a previous meeting, the Strikers showed no mercy in avenging the loss with a decisive 5-0 win. Both teams are now 5-1 as they get into the middle of the schedule.

The game was intense with many tough plays and a rugged feel to it. Chatham dictated the pace of the game and showed relentless effort, pressuring Lambeth into many forced turnovers. Abby Stonehouse led the attack with a pair of goals before half. After the break, the Strikers continued to hound their opposition and Emily Debrouwer finished off a marvelous passing play from Stonehouse and Isabella Raspburg , dumping the ball in past the keeper to make it 3-0. As time ticked away, coach Mike Raspburg used the big lead to take a look at several of the girls in different positions than they normally play. Defensive ace Brooklyn Vandenbogaerde scored her first of the year and with less than a minute to go, goalkeeper Natalie Haggerty scored as well playing out of the striker position. Other players having a terrific impact on the game included Jeanette Legere, Ava Farrell and Campbell Phaneuf. Make no mistake about it, this team as a whole is scary good. As these young ladies continue to play together, it should only get better

Chatham has an exhibition game Friday June 23 against Belle River and their next league game takes them to the Western University field against the Oakridge Sparks on Wednesday June 28.