After a rough season the year before at the Metro level, coach Jamie Plowman still had high hopes for his U14 girls soccer team in 2012/13.
“We wanted a winning record but mostly we just wanted to get better,” he said.
“I have always looked at the improvements of the players as the goal.
Plowman had coached the core of the Langley FC Dynamite team for the past six years.
“Our girls kept their spirits up all last season so I knew this year would be good,” he said.
And the Dynamite made it all the way to the finals of the Provincial U14B Cup earlier this month (July 4 to 7) at North Vancouver’s River Park.
But in the end, the team fell one goal short of their quest for the gold medal, losing 2-1 to the Vernon Selects in the championship game.
Jordan Hagen scored in the first half for Langley and the teams were tied at one in the second half, but Vernon pulled ahead 2-1 and the Dynamite were denied the equalizer.
“It was a really good game,” Plowman said. “Back and forth for the most part.
“We had the bulk of the possession but couldn’t put in a second goal.
“We had tons of chances, hit posts, shot wide and a couple over the bar. Their keeper made some good saves as well.”
The loss was the lone blemish on the Dynamite’s record at provincials.
In the team’s first game, they blanked Nelson 2-0 behind goals from Kylie Poohachoff and Hannah Plowman.
The second game saw the Dynamite erupt for four goals — two from Poohachoff and one apiece from Rachel Lamborn and Jade Nemeth.
Facing 2-0 Prince George — and with first place in the pool on the line — Langley battled to a 2-2 draw as Taylor Cahill tallied twice.
A greater goal differential (plus 6) enabled the Dynamite to advance to the final against Vernon, which won the other pool.
“I always think we can do it,” Plowman said when asked if reaching the championship final was a possibility at season’s start.
“We play a really nice game (and) it was just a matter of time before the girls’ strength would catch their skills.
“It happened this year and we had a good result.”
The team finished with a 15-5-8 record, which includes playoffs.
The team consists of Lauren Chevrier, Hannah Plowman, Jade Nemeth, Rachel Lamborn, Taylor Michon, Virginia Nikkel, Danya Mayne, Jordan Hagen, Miranda Parker, Taylor Cahill, Mackenzie Brown, Jenna Stea, Kylie Poohachoff, Sandra Wong, Alysssa Whiting, Janelle Loewen, Lynsey Evans and Brielle Collins.
Coaches are Jamie Plowman and Michael Lamborn.
