The Olds Minor Soccer Club's U-16 girls team is headed to provincials next month after winning the gold medal game at the 2016 Big Country Soccer Association District Finals.
Olds beat Linden 5-3 at Tiny LaFleur Park in Carstairs on June 11. Madison Tyson was player of the game.
It was a successful season for coach Jason Dewling's girls, who played in a division with both U-16 and U-18 teams, finishing third entering District Finals.
He lauded his players' effort and attitude, adding they had played Linden earlier in the year and came back from a 5-1 deficit to win 6-5. They won 2-0 in their second match and expected a challenge in the gold medal game, he said.
A strong wind blowing through the park was a factor that day as many players' clearing attempts were swept right back at them. Olds played with it in the first half and led as much as 5-1 in the match. Linden had its turn with the wind in the second half and scored two goals before time expired.
"It was like having an extra person out there," Dewling said afterward.
Provincials for the team will be held in Camrose from July 8-10.
Olds' U-14 girls finished their perfect season with a 4-0 victory over Three Hills in the gold medal game at District Finals.
Maeve Van't Klooster was player of the game and her team will head to provincials from July 8-10 in St. Paul.
"It was like having an extra person out there." JASON DEWLINGCOACHU-16 GIRLS SOCCER TEAM
