Facing a little more turnover in their roster than usual, coach Doug Rosener and the GSSC (Greater Sudbury Soccer Club) U18 Impact girls happily welcomed aboard an influx of slightly younger talent to the fold this spring.
Building chemistry, understandably, takes time.
Exactly two games, to precise – or so it would seem in the case of the local crew that opened both their summer schedule and tournament play in St Catharines last weekend with back to back 1-0 losses versus Fraser SC from Michigan and the host St Catharines Roma.
Three close victories ensued, however, and the Impact were crowned tournament champions, preparing for the start of TOSL (Toronto Soccer League) regular season play at home this weekend, ironically welcoming St Catharines to town.
“The girls needed those first two games to really get to know each other,” suggested three year team veteran Amy Flores, taking in a slightly different view of the games down south. Also a key member of the Sacré Coeur Griffons high-school team, the 17 year-old midfielder was sidelined with an injury, hoping to make her return to the lineup later this month or in June.
“We weren’t really sure of calling everyone’s name, letting people know that we were open for a pass,” Flores continued. “The last few games, everybody was speaking up, cheering more often.”
The Sudbury squad edged the Welland Wizards 2-1 in the quarter-finals (goals from Natalia Begic and Ariana Tonkovic), went to penalty kicks (4-2) to settle a rematch with Fraser that initially finished 1-1 at the end of regulation time (Ryann Chevrier with that goal) and continued their most recent dominance of Soo City United with a 1-0 triumph (Tonkovic with the goal; Izzy Roy with the shutout).
“If you compared us to the girls that we were at 13, we’ve improved so much,” said Flores. “We started only playing the Soo and they would smoke us. I’ve been really happy that every year I have been with the team, we’ve been moving up and progressing together.”
Flores, for one, see no end to that trend anytime soon.
“I have added a bunch of younger girls – and I love it,” she said. “They can help us a lot with their speed and skill. I think it’s going to be a good season.”
Given that this may be the end of the line, at least in youth soccer, for Flores and the balance of the same-aged team core, that would make for a very fitting send-off.
“I think with everyone heading off to university after this year, everyone is really focused,” she said. “We want to make the best of our last year together.”
Offering nothing if not great versatility on the pitch, Flores has, at various times, suited up as a defender, winger and midfielder – and even as keeper, for a stint. “I think I like where I am now,” said the central defensive midfielder in the 2025 Impact formation. “I enjoy being in the midfield, directing, looking out for passes – and you get more touches on the ball.”
The U18 Impact girls will be on the turf at James Jerome Sports Complex on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. and Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m., heading south in two weekends to do battle with CTSA (Canadian Tamils Sports Association) and Vaughan SC.
