ERSL Cup
U16 Hornets pull off upset to win ERSL Cup
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

For the past two seasons, the Cumberland Cobras and Gloucester Hornets U16 regional girls teams have battled each other for supremacy of the Eastern Regional Soccer League (ERSL).

The latest chapter in their ongoing rivalry played out in the recent ERSL Cup finals. The Cobras had beaten the Hornets twice on their way to winning the ERSL regular season championship this year, while a third game between the two teams ended in a draw.

The Gloucester Hornets pose with the ERSL Cup and championship banner after defeating the Cumberland Cobras on penalty kicks. Fred Sherwin/Photo

Last year the positions were reversed. The Hornets won the regular season title by three points over the Cobras, but fell short in their quest for the ERSL Cup which was ultimately captured by their rivals.

To say the Hornets were due heading into the U16 ERSL Cup final on Sept. 17 is a massive understatement. The only thing that stood in their way were the Hornets who were attempting to finish the season undefeated.

The Hornets took advantage of a flat Cobras team in the early going by scor-ing the game’s opening goal in the 16th minute on a well-placed shot by Emily Hume.

Hume would strike again 11 minutes later to give her team a 2-0 lead.

Down but not out, the Cobras began to elevate their play after the Hornets’ second goal which lead to a marker by Chanelle Chaput with two minutes left to go in the half.

Chaput’s goal came off a free kick by Cassandra Andre which Hornets’ keeper Chloe Lachance-Soulard had difficulty handling. The rebound went straight to the Cobras’ leading scoring who deftly steered the ball into the back of the net.

Andre would score the equalizer 16 minutes into the second half on a shot that sailed high into top corner.

Both teams had excellent chances to take the lead during regulation time, but neither team capitalized which meant the outcome would have to be decided by dreaded penalty kicks.

Each team took turns scoring through the first three rounds before Hornets’ keeper Martine Lajeunesse managed to stop the Cobras’ fourth shot.

The game then came down to Andre who confidently stroked the ball past Lachance-Soulard to give the Hornets the win.

The post-game celebration was very emotional. For many of the Hornet players who will be turning 17 next year, this is the end of the road as they turn their focus to other priorities like work and school.

“It’s been a very emotional week for them,” said head coach Chelsea Lanos. “A lot of the girls have been playing together for years, so to be able to go out on a winning note and especially against a team like Cumberland which has been our biggest opponent is pretty special.”

(Updated 5 p.m., Sept. 28)

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