LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
As the Ecole Boreale Faucons faced off against Fort Liard in the final U19 Girls match of the weekend, cheering and encouragement from the stands grew.

A player from Hay River's Ecole Boreale fights Fort Liard's Abby Duntra for the ball. - April Hudson/NNSL photo

The match was one of the final games played at Fort Simpson's recreation centre from Feb. 17 to 19 during the village's annual Connie Loutit Memorial Soccer Tournament.

Six communities from across the Northwest Territories nearly a score of teams to Fort Simpson for the tournament, where competition raged hot, mixed with friendly games.

Jackie Whelly, who helped to facilitate the event, said all the teams scheduled to play made the tournament.

The tournament included eight categories.

Fort Liard won the U12 male division, with Bompas closing in for second place. U12 female went to a team from Thomas Simpson Secondary School.

U14 male went to Yellowknives Dene First Nation, followed by Fort Simpson and Sambaa K'e, while U16 male saw first place seized by Fort Liard, with Yellowknives Dene First Nation and Fort Simpson coming in second and third, respectively.

Fort Resolution took the lead in the U19 male division, facing off successfully against Yellowknives Dene First Nation the morning of Feb. 19. Fort Liard took third place.

The U19 female match saw Fort Simpson in third. The final game between Hay River and Fort Liard was marked by fierce playing from both sides, with Fort Liard's players keeping up the pressure on Hay River.

However, Fort Liard couldn't get the ball past the Faucons goalkeeper, whose energy on the floor led to plenty of saves. The Faucons ended taking home that win.

The tournament also include an open men and open co-ed division.

Open Men went to Fort Resolution, with Fort Liard and Shane's All Stars trailing.

Open Co-ed was won by the Fort Simpson Old Timers, followed by South Slave and Fort Liard.

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