Impact 2 passed the ball to Impact 1 for a shot at first place in the premier women’s division.
This week’s 2-2 draw between Impact 2 (Bourbonnais/Brown) and Northwest United, the top team in the Edmonton District Soccer Association, put Impact 1 (Spaidal) within striking distance of the defending champions.
A victory Tuesday for Impact 1 (15-2) against NWU (15-0-2) for the division pennant would also propel the St. Albert Soccer Association squad into the Alberta Major Soccer League challenge playdowns for AMSL status in 2019.
The showdown kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at ESA Complex.
“This is the club objective and we feel we will be there soon, hopefully as early as next year,” said Rob Bourbonnais, coach of Impact 2, one of three SASA premier teams.
Impact 2 needed only a tie to set up its sibling club team to overtake NWU in the season finale.
“Our girls knew from a club perspective this was the biggest game of the year. It was a game that points absolutely had to be taken off Northwest United,” said Bourbonnais, noting NWU had conceded only five goals in 16 matches before Tuesday’s match at Riel Park. ”The girls handled the pressure and scored two goals."
Marisa Roaquin and Kiera Brown found the back of the net as Impact 2 dominated the opening 45 minutes but only led 2-0 at halftime.
Ten minutes after the break, NWU was “gifted” a penalty kick to cut the lead in half.
“It was unfortunate because it gave Northwest United the momentum,” Bourbonnais said.
Impact 2 conceded much of the possession in the second half but was dangerous on the counter as NWU pressed for the equalizer.
Several times Impact 2 players were all alone behind the NWU line but couldn’t pot the 3-1 insurance marker.
Shawna Sayaphet, the most dangerous Impact 2 scorer in recent matches while racking up seven goals this season, detached herself from the NWU defenders and with the goalkeeper caught out of position overhit the ball and it missed the mark.
Moments later, Ryleigh Bridges was by herself and fired a shot past the goalkeeper but it was wide of the far post.
With one minute left and the match knotted at two, Freya Feely received a cross and moved the ball inside the six-yard box with diligence but a slip just as she went to tap in the winner meant the goalkeeper was able to keep the Impact from scoring.
Abby Elgert, a 02 call-up from the Impact’s youth system, was among a number of Impact 2 players that rose to the challenge against NWU.
“Abby is a great player who is still developing and games like tonight with the opportunity to play substantial minutes, contribute and learn, are very valuable,” Bourbonnais said.
Defensively, Meghan Oram and Sarah Riddle with ties to the NWU team in the AMSL, were held in check by the Impact 2 back line, anchored by veteran Taylor Chow, until Riddle headed in the equalizer.
Chow was “rock solid again as she has been all year,” Bourbonnais said.
Impact 2 goalkeeper Chloe Eaton, another 02 call-up, also showed her mettle against a dangerous NWU side averaging 3.9 goals before the match.
“She did well tonight in a big game. She has played a number of times for us this year and fit in nicely,” Bourbonnais said.
Impact 2 is 7-6-4 after giving NWU all it could handle.
“It was a very good performance, particularly the first half, but we failed to capitalize on several chances and against a team like Northwest United you need to score those if you are going to get the win, otherwise they’re likely to make those missed goals come back to matter at the end of 90 minutes,” Bourbonnais said.
The next Impact 2 match is Aug. 7 against Impact 3 (Murphy) at 6:30 p.m. at Riel Park.
Impact 3 is 4-12-1 after losses of 8-0 against NWU on Sunday at Goldstick Park and 1-0 against Rionero FC (2-14-1) Tuesday at Riel Park.
Meanwhile, Impact 1 is the winner of nine in a row after the 3-0 loss to NWU on June 5 following Tuesday’s 6-2 decision against the host Sherwood Park Phoenix (7-8-2).
Three Impact 1 players are among the top 10 premier goal scorers: Sheena Tracey (12), Brittany Kindzierski (10) and Casey Paplawski (nine).
