Back to back weekend home games, facing a rested opponent on Sunday is seldom an easy proposition for the GSSC (Greater Sudbury Soccer Club Impact teams.

Doing so when the temperature flirts with the thirty degree mark only adds to the challenge.

And still, the Sudbury lads and lasses provided a solid account of themselves in i-Model play this past weekend at home.

The GSSC U13 Impact girls managed to earn the split at Heritage Field, edging Vaughan SC 3-2 on Saturday before dropping a close 1-0 decision to DFC (Dragon Force Club) from Bradford the next day.

Presley Lapointe, Ellie Leduc and Makayla Bernier found the back of the net against Vaughan as the Impact unfortunately could not rekindle that same touch around the goal on Sunday, despite creating some quality chances.

Lapointe had the best of the second half opportunities versus DFC, stymied in close thanks to an outstanding save from the Force keeper while Blake Lyle and Molly Dodge broke in along the left flank but could not get the ball to settle.

Skyler Webb netted the only goal of the game and goaltender Emily Pallucci made it stand for the visitors as the Sudbury side hits the midway point of their 10-team schedule, on the road two weeks from now against Newmarket and Barrie.

"I feel like we had very high intensity and we were very structured," said striker Angeline Ben-Anteur, in spite of the close setback on Sunday. "Our defensive line communicated a lot yesterday which is probably why we won - and our passing was very good."

Ben-Anteur is verty much the product of a soccer-heavy family environment, with older brother Alex a long-time member of the Impact U16 boys team. "We were always encouraged to play sports," said Angeline.

"My dad gives me a lot of tips and my brother is always: you should do this; you should do that."

While she has spent time out on the wing as well as at central mid over the course of her young career, the 12 year-old grade eight student at École St Denis suggested her best fit is up top, where ball-handling and shot-making are at a premium.

"I won't say it comes naturally because nothing comes completely naturally," said Ben-Anteur. "I like to scan the net when I am shooting - but any goal is a good goal. The talent is developing and I find it really fun."

Rounding out the roster for coaches Matthieu Litalien and Natalie Chenier are Lux Gasteiger, Léa Lanteigne, Kara Fletcher, Charlie Lesa, Tori Camilucci, Esmé Litalien, Ellie Dallaire, Eve Marcolin, Myla Calisi and Gianna Pincivero, with Kylie Crane joining the team as a call-up on Sunday.

Coach Matt Cootes and the Impact U15 boys continued their inspired play, stretching their unbeaten string to five games following a pair of season opening losses by racking up a draw and a win against two of the better teams in the league.

Facing the top of the table Barrie Spirit on Saturday, the northern crew played to a scoreless draw - but only after ringing three shots off the post and having a goal called back from an off-side call.

"Max Dodge was excellent on the right flank and Ashton McConnell and Ewan Huang had excellent games at left and right back for the team," said Cootes, whose team was backstopped at the back-end by goalie Jason Ringuette.

On Sunday, the team avenged a lopsided loss in May, edging Muskoka FC 2-1 as Neil Arkuh headed home a cross from Tyler Gaudreau and Dominique Soro drilled home his ninth goal of the season, with both Sudbury markers coming in the second half.

Cootes stressed, post-game, that the key was a qualify effort from each of the three levels of play on the pitch, starting with the backline of Ewan Huang, Cody Crocker, Jaxon Mathieu-Gibson, Ashton McConnell and Tyler Gaudreau.

"They all have really started to show a higher level of game awareness and solidity - both in and out of possession," said Cootes. "Their relationship as a unit has given us the foundation to build from."

Soccer games are often won or lost through the midfield and the experience of the U15 Impact squad is certainly no different.

"Through the leadership, vision and passing range of Xavio Cootes and the hustle and tenacity of Neil Arkuh, Vinny Ladouceur and Calvin "Nubs" Faux, the boys are controlling the midfield battle and picking apart the defensive lines of the other teams."

Up front, the unit is creating opportunties, even if not always rewarded for same.

"The wide guys - Adrian Courtney, Jay Salawu, Max Dodge, Marcelo Cisternas - are starting to create more width for the team, which is leading to the creation of more gaps between the lines of the opposition."

"Dominique Soro keeps banging them in and could have about eight more goals, while Sam Atte is helping create on this front as well."

Finally, we caught up with the Impact U13 boys for the first time this year, clearly with reason to celebrate coming off a 6-2 win over Newmarket as five different Sudbury players made their way on to the scoresheet: Emmanuel Banjo (2), Mason Melin, Kian Nazaripoor, Jose Quintero and Jason Nwankwo.

Also contesting i-Model play for the very first time this summer are teammates Riley Neinsohn, Robbie Mallory, Fotis Evangelatos, Justice Kameka, Matthew Tessarolo, Aleksandre Gravel, Nicholas Bumbacco, Lincoln Ricard, Jaxson Lawrence, Charles Gough, Lincoln Harnish, Blake Tuomi, coaches Chris Tessarolo, Dillan Gravel and Jason Melin and team manager Renée Tessarolo.