It’s been a great season for the Merritt Secondary School senior girls’ soccer team, coached by teachers Guy Dugas and Mo Ollek.
With a very young line-up comprised of mostly Grade 8 and 9 players, the Lady Panthers chose only to play in tournaments this year. They enjoyed considerable success, highlighted by a second-place finish (Merritt’s best ever) in their own 12-team Test of Mettle tourney at the end of April. On the May 14 weekend, the Panthers did one better, placing first out of nine teams at a tournament in Clearwater.
The Lady Panthers did some sight seeing during a tournament in Wells Gray Park. (Contributed).
“The girls played very well — passing the ball, using the space available and helping each other,” said coach Dugas. “All our players contributed in one way or another.” There was fun off the field as well at the Clearwater event as the team paid a visit to nearby Wells Gray Park for some scenic sightseeing.
The Merritt Secondary squad closed out their 2016 campaign at a tournament in Osoyoos on the May 21 weekend. The team won 5-0 against Boundary Secondary from Midway, lost 3-1 to Ashcroft, and were edged by Fort St. James in a penalty shootout.
“We have to be very proud of our season,” said Dugas. “We started out with no real expectations, and as the season progressed, we raised the bar each weekend. The girls delivered, playing some awesome soccer.
