AJAX - The Ajax United Blue Crush under 16 girls' soccer team came close to running the table at the recent West Niagara Tournament. The underdog Blue Crush made it all the way to the division final before losing to Woodbridge 2-0 in a game that was much closer than the score would indicate. Blue Crush coaches Matt Maebrae and Tony Lancia were pleased with the team's efforts as the members played their best soccer yet in adverse weather and field conditions. In the playoff round, Ajax United showed they came to play with a solid 2-1 win over Oshawa followed by a another strong effort that resulted in a 1-0 victory over Etobicoke. The Blue Crush opened the tourney with solid play, going undefeated in the first day of play. Ajax United played a strong Caledon side to a scoreless draw in Game 1. The Blue Crush then turned up the heat to defeat Lincoln 1-0 and Malton 2-1. The strong play of forwards Katie Locke, Chelsea Kaefer, Johanna Friedrich and Ally Moncada in the face of some tough defence paved the way for a solid tournament result. The midfield also turned in a solid showing with Carley Avery, Tia Matte, Christina Rowell, Gabriela Fredericks, Megan Brunnock, Samantha Kudra and Tara Malloy all adding to the team's success. The stonewall defence of Meghan Hull, Amanda Lancia, Meghan McKinnon, Samantha Millar-Ricci and Lisette Pineau, combined with the rock-solid goalkeeping of Nicole Goodman and Brittany Sullivan, held opposition shooters to just two goals prior to the final. The Blue Crush hope to carry this momentum forward into their Central Girls Soccer League (CGSL) home opener on May 20 against Aurora.



