ESA Complex – The St. Albert Skyhawks aced their final exam with honour marks as the metro Edmonton division two women’s soccer champions.
Maria Czyz and Rene Takats ignited the offence and keeper Ailbhe Muldoon came through in the clutch as the undefeated Skyhawks shut out the Holy Trinity Trojans 2-0 in Tuesday’s final.
“It’s super exciting. We’re all pumped,” said an overjoyed Muldoon. “We went out to play as a team today and that’s why we won it.”
It’s the fifth metro banner for the Skyhawks and the first since winning the 2010 city conference crown.
“It’s such an incredible feeling. Our names are going on that banner,” said Takats with wide-eyed amazement. “I’m so proud of this team.”
Last year, the Skyhawks won the division two consolation final after losing the 2013 division two final.
“We really wanted this championship. It’s been our goal since the beginning of the season. At our very first practice our coach (Sam Johnson) sat us down and he was like, ‘OK guys, what’s your goal? We all said it was to win the final and we did it so we’re pretty happy,” said a smiling Czyz.
Both teams reached the final with 7-0 records after finishing first in their respective pools.
“It was a really well played game. We fought really hard,” Czyz said.
In the first half, the Skyhawks out-chanced the Trojans while dominating time of possession and field position but only led by a goal at the break.
“Halfway into the first half, we settled into our game and we started passing well and then once we got the goal we just kept going from there, just like a rolling ball,” said Czyz.
Her fancy footwork with the ball in the 32nd minute opened the scoring. The Grade 11 striker touched it around a defender, then slipped a slow roller past the charging keeper into the corner of the net.
“For a second there I was a little worried. I held my breath as I watched as it crept across the line but it worked out,” said Czyz, who pumped her first in celebration after arguably the team’s most important goal this season. “It’s the best feeling in the world. Honestly, there is nothing like it.”
Three minutes before the goal the Trojans rattled a shot off the crossbar.
The Skyhawks were flying high after Czyz’s goal took the wind out of the Trojans’ sails.
“It was really big. It was like the turning point in the game for us. We managed to get our confidence up and we pulled through,” said Muldoon.
The Grade 10 Skyhawk pulled off some huge stops in early stages of the second half with the Trojans pressing for the equalizer.
“I was just out there trying to make saves for my team. I just wanted to win for my team,” said Muldoon, who battled through some stage fright at the start of the match before settling in as the team’s last line of defence. “I was nervous at the beginning but I got more confident when I got into it.”
After the Skyhawks hung tough defensively, Mackenzie Sharun chipped in a tricky ball that hit the crossbar with the keeper standing on the goal line and Amy Gunn drove the rebound over the net with 21 minutes to play.
Three minutes later, Takats got a toe on a cross by Alex Arbelaez and the insurance marker sealed the deal.
“I don’t really remember how I scored it actually. I just remember the excitement,” said the Grade 10 midfielder, who was mobbed by the Skyhawks after her second goal this season. “It really meant a lot to score. I’ve been waiting all season to finish in the net because I’ve been having troubles so to be able to score in front of everyone like that is an incredible feeling.”
The goal was the 42nd for the Skyhawks in eight wins while giving up only six.
The team’s second playoff shutout was also its fourth of the season.
“We progressed throughout the season and that’s why we won it,” said Muldoon, 16.
This year’s lineup featured six Grade 12s and 11 returning players.
“To play together as a team one last time before the Grade 12s leave us means so much to me. I’m going to miss them,” said Takats, 15.
The Skyhawks bonded together to bring a championship back to St. Albert Catholic High School.
“The key thing to our game is just our team dynamic. We’re all best friends. You go to school, you say hi in the hallways and you eat lunch together, it’s just incredible,” said Czyz, 16. “I would describe SACHS as a family. You kind of do it for everyone because your school is like your home. It’s a great feeling.”
Visit www.stalbertgazette.com to view the team picture.
