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Goderich Signal Star, 2017-03-01, Page 37Wednesday, March 1, 2017 • Signal Star 37 The six Huron FC Soccer players who recently attended the Ontario. Futsal Cup. Photos by Justine Alkema/Postmedia Network The whole Huron FC Soccer Club at their practice on Thursday, February 23. The club recently was sponsored for new jerseys (see black shirts in photo) by Westcoast Concrete owned by Kevin Langille. Huron County boys compete in Ontario Futsal Cup Six young futsal (indoor soccer) Ar players from Huron County make trip to Durham College to take part in highly competitive two- day provincial championship Sheila Pritchard Special to the Signal Star Six local Huron FC Soccer players travelled to Oshawa this past weekend to partici- pate in the Ontario Futsal Cup. The tournament, which attracts the best teams from across the province, deter- mines a provincial cham- pion of futsal -- the world - recognized sport better known to some as indoor soccer. The Huron County boys selected to compete at the two-day championship were Shawn McIlwain of Goder- ich, Connor Pullen of Coder- ich, and Dawson Hoggart of Londesborough (U14 Divi- sion), along with Reece Sparling from Blyth, Masa Ono of Blyth, and Nathan Haas from Goderich (U16 Division). The boys, who currently play on London teams with LACFC (London Athletic Canadian Putbol Club), have all been playing indoor fustal for two to three years and were chosen to compete in the Ontario Fus- tal Cup by Huron FC technical director Edwin Saraccini based on their high skill level in the sport. A derivative of soccer, fut- sal is played with five -man teams, one of whom is the goalie, on a basketball -style court in a gymnasium using a smaller, heavier, low - bouncing hall. It is played ih the. winter, while outdoor soccer is played in the sum- mer. Futsal is the recognized indoor game of FIFA (Fede- ration Internationale de Football Association) — the international governing body of association football, futsal and beach soccer — as the game to play if players want to excel in the sport of soccer. "The game is really fun to watch because there are more shots, and it's really fast," said Huron PC Club manager Annie Spading. Soccer superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi grew up playing the game and credit futsal with developing their skills, said Sparling. "Many of the great players attribute futsal for their suc- cess in soccer; that is why we do futsal. We have seen our players who play and train using futsal in the winter hit the field in the summer and really take off." Huron PC is a year-round soccer club affiliated with LACFC: Working with LACFC, the club allows play- ers to progress at their pace and offers higher playing options as the players con- tinue to develop. With the help and partnership of LACFC, Huron FC has play- ers playing at provincial U14 crushers steal thunder and slay dragons On Sunday, Feb. 12, the Goderich U14 Ice Crushers travelled to St Thomas and Dorchester to play back-to- back acktoback Western Region Ringette League (W.R.R.L.). games. The locals packed some serious work "ethic into their ringette bags for this road tripe they put in a tremendous effort dominat- ing the play in both games coming back to the shores of Huron with a well earned four points. Crushers 4 vs. St. Thomas 0 The matinee contest saw the Tweens looking to get some payback on a Thunder team that had totally out- worked urworked the Crushers in a game at the MRC in January. The Crushers carne out firing on all cylinders in this one, dominating the home club to the point of frustration. Avery Cross put Goderich on the board just a minute and a half into the game courtesy of a quick release, and some fine passing by Payton Swan and Grace Taylor. Five minutes later, Megan Kovats shot in from her defensive position, scor- ing an absolutely brilliant goal with the assist going to Kayleigh Goud. Less than two minutes later, Ruby Olson converted an Avery Cross pass to put Goderich up 3-0. The visitors then found themselves in some questionable penalty trou- ble. However; Hannah Kent was extremely solid in goal as she calmly turned away each Thunder opportunity. The Goderich defence of Katie Ridsdale, Kiara Plum - steel, Ava Fitzgerald and Megan Kovacs played a very physical game continually shutting down the thunder attempts. When Grace Tay- lor scored on an incredible solo effort with four min- utes remaining in the game, the Crushers knew that their hard work had paid off In victory. Crushers 8 vs. Dorchester 2 The evening game saw the Crushers facing a strug- gling Dragons club in Dorchester. Goderich came out skating well, and Kay- leigh Goud opened the scoring with assists going to Arden Bowler and Giselle Mcllhargey. Dorchester managed w sneak. a goal past Hannah Kent, but Grace Taylor from Avery Cross and Michaela Alcock restored the lead, Ruby Olson converted a Payton Swan pass to extend the Crusher lead at the break. Payton Swan then teamed up with Megan Kovats for a couple of shifts that can only be described as domi- nant, putting the game out of reach at 6-2. Giselle Mcll- hargey then converted a Katie Ridsdale pass to extend the lead once again. Kiara Plumsteel put the fin- ishing touch on an 8-2 vic- tory when she expertly rifled a wrist shot past a helpless Dragon net minder. The Crushers now have a couple of practices as they prepare fora diffic uh road test in St Marys versus an unde- feated W.R.R.L. Snipers team. Be sure to check Saturday, Feb. 25, down on your calen- dar when the Kitchener Wild- cats will visit Memorial Arena for an afternoon double- header beginning at 1 p.m. levels. The Ontario Cup, the highest level of competition in the province, requires those who play to be top ath- letes that have developed their skills to an advanced level for their age group. According to Sparling, the boys have been training up. to four times a week for the last several months, with additional games and local tournaments, in preparation for the Ontario Cup. Sparling said playing 'at such a competitive level can be demanding. "The biggest challenge is the commitment made by the family to support the player with the time required to train, travel to training and games, and understand- ing that playing at higher lev- els one needs to be highly disciplined, mentally strong, and very fit." But the rewards, she said, are invaluable. "(It's) the satisfaction of seeing your hard work pay off, through the invitations to play at high-level competi- tions and tournaments, advancing in your skills." And it is gratifying to see local talent recognized at regional and provincial levels, said Spading. "It's a real honor to be invited and rewarded for the hard work our players have put into their sport. We have a lot of really talented players in our club, and I know many of them will go very far in their sport "As a manager I am so proud of all of them, they have amazing attitudes and their love of the sport ener- gizes me, and makes my job very rewarding." John Bannowsknui star Sarah Strickland, Chelsea Murphy, Riley Shore and Neehah Lewis hold up their bronze medals. The GDCI junior girls' volleyball team won the bronze medal match at the recent WOSSAA championships.