Olivia Friesen and Bronwyn Kirk helped their team capture provincial gold in a game that went the distance and then some on the soccer pitch.
The Upper Island Storm’s only goalie, Maddy Whiting, was injured the day before the final with a broken nose and a concussion and was not able to suit up for the game.
Defender Bronwyn Kirk, from Parksville, stepped up to the plate and did what she could to help backstop her team to a win.
Both Kirk and Friesen, who was a stalwart all tournament long for the Storm, played key roles in helping the team capture provincial gold.
At full time the game was scoreless and went to extra time. Rachael Baird was taken down in the box in the second period of extra time and Emily Shires slotted the penalty for the first goal in the game.
The Delta Coastal Selects scored with two minutes to go in extra time, which meant penalties were required.
The Delta Selects were up first in the penalties. Penalty takers for the Upper Island Storm were Emily Shires, Aiyanna Grubac, Megan Dial, and Sydney Goodwin all slotted the first four penalties for the Storm.
Bronwyn Kirk saved the Delta team’s fifth penalty and Rachael Baird scored the Storm’s fifth and final penalty to secure the win.
The team battled hard and played with big hearts to finally come out on top.