U15 Girls Strikers golden in Graham Bunting Classic

U15 Stratford Strikers win the gold medal at the Graham Bunting Classic. Team roster: Grace Elliott, Ava Langis, Edie Murray, Hazel Walsh, Ashley Van Straaten, Elena Hogger, Payton Herman, Peyton Van Straaten, Ruby Munford, Peyton Ward, Lilly Harrigan, Danica Voros, Madison Brisbois, Jessica Blake and Kinsley McIntosh, as well as Scott Herman, head coach, and Ian Murray, assistant coach.

Over the weekend of June 6-7, the Stratford U15 Girls Strikers participated in the annual weekend-long Graham Bunting Classic. Stratford was placed in Pool A with Kitchener TFC, Ilderton Ignite and St. Columban. All their round robin games took place at Stratford’s Festival Hydro Community Centre.

In the early morning match, the Strikers defeated the Ignite 3-0 at VFG Wealth Field (formerly Vancea Financial Group Field). Later, Stratford hosted Kitchener KTFC at the GRIT Engineering Field during the early afternoon. The Strikers dominated the first half, scoring three goals and ultimately winning 5-0 to improve their record to 2-0.

In the final round robin game, the Strikers defeated St. Columban 4-0 with goals from Danica Voros, Peyton Herman, Reese Campbell and Riley Munford. The Strikers finished atop the pool with a perfect 3-0 record and outscoring opponents 12-0. Goalkeeper Grace Elliott kept clean sheets in all three matches.

Head coach Scott Herman praised the team's performance in the round-robin, emphasizing their teamwork and effective gameplay. Moving into the semifinals, they aim to maintain their momentum, build on their success and strive to finish the tournament as champions.

“Very satisfied. Girls are working well, playing as a team, moving the ball and putting pressure where we need it,” Herman said.

“We're going to come in strong, keep doing what we're doing, build on our momentum and hopefully have a good day tomorrow.”

Team captain Peyton Ward likes what the team has delivered during the round robin and emphasized the importance of continuing to play cohesively, work hard and support each other to achieve success in the tournament and reach the finals.

“We played well, we had a lot of possession, we did well moving the ball and worked as a team,” Ward said.

“We just keep playing as we play, play as a team and work hard, use each other and we'll come out with the win.”

Stratford hosted Pool B runner-up Waterloo United at the Stratford Intermediate School Field in the semi-finals on June 7. The Strikers continued their hot streak as they blanked Waterloo United 3-0 to advance to the final in the afternoon.

At the finals, the Strikers completed their mission as goals from Campbell and Andie Spicer gave the team the elusive gold medal in front of family at Bentley’s Field in the Festival Hydro Community Park.

Coach Herman praised his players for their dedication and performance during the tournament, which led to winning the gold medal.

“The girls earned it this weekend, and we're very happy as coaches. The girls performed very well. They've done everything we've asked, everything we've worked on. They went out there and put in the hard work, and the results showed,” Herman said.

After the rest of the day celebrating and recuperating, the Strikers returned to SDSL regular-season play on June 8 against the FFTW Academy at Kitchener. At press time, Stratford is in second place with a perfect 3-0 record.

Their next tournament is in London next weekend, as they participate in the Shine the Light All-Girls Soccer Tournament. The weekend-long event showcases girls from U14 through U18 and addresses the sensitive topics of abuse against women.