The Highlanders Prospect women’s squad returned recently from a successful trip to FC Portland’s Winter College Showcase, an annual event that saw Victoria allow just one goal through three victories and a draw over Timber Fusion, Sinoma, Ogden Outlaws and FC Nova.
The Highlanders opened up play with a 4-0 victory, with goals coming from Holly Goodacre and Kelsey Boudreau.
In their second match of the showcase, Boudreau once again found the back of the net to draw level with Sinoma and earn a tie for her side.
The third match of the weekend against Utah’s Ogden Outlaws saw Highlander Claire Ethier earning a brace in a shutout win before Ethier added the lone goal in the final match of the weekend in a 1-0 shutout win over FC Nova.
“We played better every game,” said Highlanders head coach Dave Dew.
“Our two-touch play and passing was the best it has been all year, especially by the fourth game. It’s impressive that they were able to compile this record against their age group.”
Emily Moore and Miranda Clarke split duties between the woodwork for the Highlanders throughout the weekend, combining to earn three clean sheets.
The Highlanders also featured some new faces among the roster, with Dew selecting Caruthers, Larissa Stefanek and Amy Melvey to travel south with his squad. Caruthers is a product of Lakehill’s soccer program, while Stafanek and Melvey feature with Reynolds High School.
“All three did very well in an environment they haven’t been in before,” remarked Dew. “Credit to the club system that they are in, hopefully they can go back to their respective clubs and elevate their stature within them.”
The Winter Showcase is intended to provide an environment for players with collegiate ambitions to put their skills on display in front of college coaches from Canada and the United States. This year’s event featured approximately 100 coaches and teams from the Northwest region.
“The kids were really good as usual,” added Dew. “They were really professional and classy in the way they conducted themselves and this was noted by the tournament director and even our hotel. The girls were good representatives of the club and city.”
