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The U19 Shute Optometry Girls Field Team continued to prove they belong among the elite teams in Ontario, splitting a pair of hard-fought games against two of the top teams in the province this weekend.
In Game 1, the North Stars battled to an exciting 9-8 victory over Newmarket. It was a tightly contested match-up from start to finish, with both teams trading goals throughout the game. Strong defensive play and excellent goaltending kept the Stars in the fight during key moments, allowing them to come out on top in a thrilling one-goal win.
Leading the offense was Ryann Seaman with five goals, while Willow Smith Spinney added two. Katie Marshall and Ella McCoubrey each contributed a goal to round out the scoring.
Game 2 saw the North Stars take on Orangeville. The Stars came out strong and held an early lead after the first quarter, but a slow and sloppy third quarter allowed Orangeville to build a 7-3 advantage. Refusing to quit, the North Stars responded with an outstanding fourth quarter effort, battling hard until the final whistle but ultimately falling 11-8.
McKenna Ward led the offense with a hat trick, while Ella McCoubrey, Katie Marshall, Willow Smith Spinney, Ava Ward, and Ryann Seaman each found the back of the net.
While the weekend ended with a split, the North Stars showed they can compete with anyone in the province. With strong performances against two of the top U19 teams, the Stars continue to establish themselves as a legitimate contender and will be a difficult team to beat for the remainder of the season