Monday, August 26, 2024 - 15:02 pm
It was a proud accomplishment for Coastal FC as our 2009 BCSPL Girls competed in the inaugural Player-Development Program (PDP) Championship from August 14 to 18 in Edmonton, Alberta.
Canada Soccer launched the Player-Development Program Championship to unite high-level amateur youth soccer clubs. 28 teams competed to be named national champions in four divisions across two age groups: the PDP U-17 Cup and the PDP U-15 Cup for boys and girls.
Our Coastal FC 2009 BCSPL Girls Team qualified after winning the 2024 BC Soccer Provincial Championships in June. They were selected from a pool of 155 youth teams competing in the provincial championships for U-17 and U-15 age groups across Canada.
Game 1: Coastal FC 3, St. Albert Impact F.C. 2
Starting their PDP journey in smoky conditions in Edmonton, Coastal FC took a 2-0 lead in the first half with goals from Kianna Nager and Brooklyn Boldt. The second half, played indoors after a six-hour delay, saw Coastal concede two quick goals. However, they rallied and scored a decisive third goal with 10 minutes remaining to secure the win. Head Coach Duffy said: “It was a tough way to start. We didn't play to our potential. However, we dug deep and got the result. I'm proud of the character they showed to battle back and win.”
Game 2: Coastal FC 0, AS Laval 4
Coastal FC faced a tough match against AS Laval, trailing 1-0 at halftime after some defensive errors. Laval dominated the second half, capitalizing on more mistakes to score three additional goals. Despite the loss, Coach Duffy remained hopeful, saying, "We haven't showcased our talent yet. Hopefully, the next game will be different."
Game 3: Coastal FC 2, Unionville-Milliken 1
Coastal FC rebounded in game three, dominating from the start. Daniella Feria-Estrada scored early, and despite conceding an equalizer, Izzy Benetti quickly restored the lead. Coastal FC controlled the remainder of the game, securing a spot in the bronze medal match. "This was more like the team I'm used to seeing," Coach Duffy said, proud of the team's performance.
Game 4: Bronze Medal Match - Coastal FC 1, North Toronto F.C 0
In the bronze medal match, Coastal FC faced a test of endurance. Exhausted from the tournament's demands, both teams battled hard in a physically intense game. The first half saw numerous chances for both sides, but neither could find the back of the net.
Coastal FC dug deep in the second half and found the breakthrough when Maya Gales-Allen scored the match-winning goal in the 50th minute. From there, the team held possession and controlled the game, securing the bronze medal with a 1-0 victory. It was a fitting end to a challenging tournament, marking an incredible achievement for the team. Coach Duffy, coaching his last game with the team, reflected on the journey: "What a journey it's been with this group! The third-best team in the country—what an incredible achievement. I will miss them all, but I will be watching from afar, keeping track of their progress and cheering them on."
The Coastal FC BCSPL 2009 F Girls team has every reason to be proud of their achievements on the national stage. Winning a bronze medal is a testament to their resilience, teamwork, and dedication.