Soccer Rams lose heartbreaker in Halton Cup final
Tue May 06, 2008

AJAX -- It was a tough way to suffer the first loss of the season for the Ajax High School Rams senior girls' soccer team.

The Rams engaged in a highly competitive match with Northern Collegiate from Sarnia in the final of the Halton Cup Tournament played in cold and wet conditions in Oakville last Friday. The teams played to a 2-2 draw at the end of regulation time.

The final proceeded to penalty kicks, with all five Rams' shooters -- Sarah Taylor, Jodi McDonald, Jen Kirby, Ally Trinier, Shannon Lucas -- scoring on their opportunities. Despite valiant attempts by goalkeeper Devin Semple, she had no chance on five Northern shots that found the corner of the net.

In a sudden-death shootout, Julia Rivers made a nice shot but the Northern goalie made a spectacular save, while the Sarnia shooter buried one for the narrow victory.

In the semifinal, Ajax High advanced to the final after blanking the Pearson Patriots from Burlington 3-0.

The Rams opened with a 4-0 score over Robert Bateman from Oakville, then won its second game 3-0 against the host team, Oakville Trafalgar.

Coaches Julie Clark and Craig Nemis were extremely proud of the players, who played some of their best soccer yet in tough conditions.

The Rams previously captured the Anderson Invitational Tournament title, going undefeated en route to the championship.

Ajax High is still unbeaten in league play.

The team's overall record stands at 7-1-3.

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