U15 Girls Strikers undefeated to start season, Graham Bunting Classic ahead

Strikers' goalkeeper Grace Elliott assesses the field from the back of the pitch during the game against Kitchener TFC at Festival Hydro Park on June 1.

The Stratford U15 Strikers Girls team began their 2026 season with a flawless 3-0 record after a 3-2 comeback victory over Kitchener TFC on June 1 at the Vancea Financial Group (VFG) Field in Festival Hydro Park.

Peyton Ward started the scoring for Stratford early in the first half, then Kitchener equalized a few minutes later and took the lead late in the initial half. Early in the second half, Reese Campbell capitalized on a mistake by Kitchener, and Jessica Blake scored a low-line goal to bring the Strikers back in front midway through the period. Stratford then strengthened their defence in the final minutes to secure the victory.

Head coach Scott Herman was pleased with the team’s resilience, which helped it remain undefeated despite a slow start to the match.

“I thought we did well. We started slow, came back stronger in the second half, and the thing I like the most is that the girls didn't give up, they just kept going,” Herman said.

This year’s U15 squad is based on last year’s U14 team, which secured the Southwest District Soccer League title and also won the Nothers Cup and the AC Douglas tournament championships.

Herman shared high hopes for the season, focusing on both team and individual achievements, beginning with the Graham Bunting Classic in Stratford this weekend.

“This year, we want to continue with our success, have team success, individual success for the girls, and a fun, fun year,” Herman said.

“We're coming in this weekend after a big performance tonight, and the expectation is we're going to give it all we've got and try and win that title in Stratford.”

Stratford got off to a solid start, winning 2-0 in their season opener on home field against the Puslinch Panthers on May 11, and blew past Storm FC 7-0 the following week in Orangeville on May 20.

Both Ward and Payton Herman have each scored three goals for the Strikers, while Campbell, Blake and Elena Hogger have scored two goals each across three games.

The Strikers compete at the Graham Bunting Classic all weekend in Stratford and St. Marys on June 6 and 7. The tournament includes boys' and girls' divisions from U14 through U18.

Preliminary rounds run all day on June 6, with the semifinals and the championship matches scheduled for June 7. The U15 Strikers will compete in Pool A with Ilderton, Kitchener TFC, and St. Columban in the round-robin.

Graham Bunting Classic Pool A Schedule

8 a.m. (Festival Hydro Park - VFG Wealth Field) – Ilderton Ignite.

11 a.m. (Festival Hydro Park - GRIT Engineering Field) – Kitchener TFC.

2 p.m. (Festival Hydro Park - Cowan Field) – St. Columban .