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HAY RIVER - A spectacular passing play ended a scoreless deadlock and gave the Grade 6 and 7 girls team from Fort Simpson a banner at the Elks Outdoor Soccer Tournament held in Hay River during the weekend.

The team was playing in the finals against Princess Alexandra 2 from Hay River.

The Grade 6 and 7 girls team from Fort Simpson pose with their banner after winning their division at the Hay River Elk's Outdoor Soccer Tournament. Team members include, from left, back row: Reannda Cli, Winona Cli-Letcher, Janelle Bruneau, Cydney Nahanni-Kwasney, Jennifer Gast, Sherissa Grossetete, Leanne Ocko, Rosalie Corneille, Chantal Tonka and Paige Bosse; middle row: Coach Val Gendron, Tiffany Larter, Alicia Norris, Madison Pilling and Coach Raquel Michaud; front row: Katrina Browning - photo courtesy of Raquel Michaud

Fort Simpson's scoring drive started at the beginning of second half when Madison Pilling drove the ball down the sideline.

With two defenders running at her, Pilling took the ball to the outside, dodged the players and managed to just barely keep the ball from going out of bounds.

"I was ready to make a shot and I knew I wouldn't make it," she said.

Seeing two of her teammates in front of the net, and another defender running at her, Pilling passed the ball across the net.

The first player missed the ball but Sherissa Grossetete found the mark.

Redirecting the pass with the inside of her right foot she beat the goalie..

"It was a great goal," said Pilling.

It was also the only goal scored during the game, giving the Fort Simpson girls a 1-0 victory and the banner for the division.

The 14 athletes on the team played some great soccer, said Val Gendron who coached the team with Raquel Michaud.

"Every game they got better," Gendron said.

A total of five teams from Fort Simpson represented their schools at the tournament in Hay River from Sept 19 to 21.

For the Grade 6 and 7 boys team the tournament was a learning experience, said coach Berni Leader.

The 14 players did great for their age considering most are still in Grades 4 and 5, said Leader.

Although they lost all four of their games none had runaway scores. This tournament will give the team something to build on, he said.

"They're going to turnout to be good soccer players," said Leader.

The Grade 8 and 9 boys team led by coach Shane Thompson also failed to make the finals in their division.

The Grade 10 to 12 girls team played well despite an age disadvantage.

With players ranging from Grades 8 to 12 they were among the youngest players in their division, said Kristen Morrison who coached the team together with John Forbes.

Most of their opponents were twice or three times their size, she said.

Despite the challenges the team improved in all three of their games, said Morrison.

The Grade 10 to 12 boys team also didn't give up.

After losing their first game the team rallied together and came back from a 3-0 slump in their second game to narrowly miss the win by one goal losing 4-3.

Part of the improvement can be credited to Gordon Thompson. Thompson was away but made a commitment to the team and arrived during the second game, said Morrison.

"He brought energy with him, which was lacking previously," she said.

The team tied their third game 3-3 before losing their fourth.

Overall the team played well, said Morrison who coached the team along with Alex Campbell.