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Erin Mills Mighty Eagles U13A Capture 2008 SRSL League Cup Finally!  

After three consecutive years of reaching the SRSL Elite League Cup Final, the Mighty Eagles finally captured the title that they have coveted since 2005.  In an unprecedented performance, the Mighty Eagles accomplished something no other SRSL 1995 girls team could ever do – defeat Brams A. 

The 8 team Elite tournament began back in July with the Mighty Eagles taking on  Welland, who were promoted to the Elite division in 2008.  Welland had surprised many teams this season, especially on their home pitch. So the Mighty Eagles were prepared for and got a very tough and well played match. On a relatively hot day, the Mighty Eagles took an early lead from a free kick.  Minutes later, the referee awarded Welland a penalty shot and they converted it.  It was not until extra time that the Mighty Eagles were able to score the game winner, 2-1, to advance to the semi-finals. 

In the semi-finals, the Mighty Eagles met Burlington, a team that they seem to meet in every Ontario Cup tournament, thus far.  Nonetheless, this was the League Cup and the Mighty Eagles, despite their mediocre showing in the league, always emerged ready to contest for the League Cup.  After a well played and pretty evenly matched teams, this game went to penalty shots.  It was here that the Mighty Eagles’ goalie not only made two saves, during the penalty shot round, but scored the clinching penalty to secure a trip to the final, against Brams A, for the third consecutive year. 

Now Brams A had never lost a game in their history of regular season and League Cup play since they entered the SRSL in 2005.  They were the defending Champions and were highly favoured to win.  However, someone forgot to tell the Erin Mills Mighty Eagles to concede, yet again.  The girls came out strong and carried a lot of the play, especially in the first half, when they opened the scoring off a corner kick which was sent into the box and later volleyed into the net for an early 1-0 lead.  Soon after, the Mighty Eagles almost made it 2-0, but were denied another goal by the cross bar.   

In the second half, the Mighty Eagles’ team played some superior defense, especially the back three, as they held off the challenges and persistent attacks by a determined Brams A team.  At times the game resembled a battle of control of one’s territory, on the wet, and slippery pitch, as both teams literally scratched and fought for every ball.  In the end, with less than ten minutes to play, the Mighty Eagles’ top striker took on two defenders and sent a beautiful left foot to the far post, from almost the corner flag into the top of the net to secure the 2-0 victory for the Erin Mills Mighty Eagles. 

Congratulations, to both teams, for their fine accomplishments in 2008.  However, it was the Erin Mills Mighty Eagles, who, many of the soccer critics and pundants, had counted out, like a defeated boxer, knockout, on the canvass, who were actually lifted up on their last day of the outdoor season.  The parents and especially the hard working and talented U13 girls of Erin Mills, displayed poise, determination and confidence as they climbed to the top, to not only, qualify for the OYSL in 2009, but to finally defeat their rivals; Brams A..   By winning the 2008 League Cup Championship, in their last game after losing their first game, the Mighty Eagles’ season undoubtedly exemplifies this endearing quote:  The race is not for the swift, but for those… 

Well done girls and good luck next season in the OYSL.

SRSL League Cup 2008

Quarter Final Round

Mighty Eagles   2       Welland 1 OT

Semi-Final Final Round

Mighty Eagles   1       Burlington 0  PKs (4-2)

Championship Match

Mighty Eagles   2        Brams A  0

Mighty Eagles' Birthdays
for the Month of January 2009


Happy Birthday 

Natti  08th

Charlene  21st

Trenae  28th 

The Mighty Eagles, not only celebrate our success on the pitch, but we celebrate each of our girls' birthdays.  

Ontario Indoor Cup Finalist 2008

The Erin Mills Mighty Eagles entered the much-anticipated 2008 Ontario Cup Indoor Cup, which began in December 2007 at the Ontario Soccer Centre.  In the preliminary round, EMA faced some tough competition. 

Their first opponent, Brams B, kept the game close in the first half.  However, EMA scored 4 goals in the second half to win 4-0.  Next up was a desperate Wexford team, needing a win to advance; they won a close game 2-1.  Facing elimination, the Mighty Eagles defeated a determined Vaughn squad 2-0.  The Mighty Eagles now had qualified for the final round in a group with the top ranked U13 team in Ontario, the Ajax Strikers.

In a highly well played match, the Mighty Eagles were four seconds away from a victory but had to settle for a 1-1, draw against Ajax Strikers.  In match two, The Mighty Eagles defeated an overmatched Ottawa team 3-1.  In their final match of the round, EMA beat Richmond Hill 1-0, which set up a semi-final match against the powerhouse Brams A Rebels.  

On Championship Sunday, EMA got off to a terrific start with two early goals to defeat the Rebels 2-0.  However, in the final, the Mighty Eagles again fell victim to a late goal, with 34 seconds remaining in the game and loss 1-0.  

Congratulations on a fine effort getting to the final of such a prestigious event.  We were entered in the most challenging group in the preliminary round, we did not get a bye to the final round, and we defeated the eventual winners in an earlier game!  Thanks to the parents for their support throughout the tournament.

Ontario Indoor Cup 2008

Preliminary Round

Mighty Eagles   4       Brams B   0
Wexford 2                  Mighty Eagles   1
Mighty Eagles   2       Vaughn   0

Final Round

Mighty Eagles   1       Ajax Strikers   1    
Mighty Eagles   3       Ottawa   1   
Mighty Eagles   1       Richmond Hill   0

Semi- Finals 

Mighty Eagles   2        Brams A   0

Championship Match

Richmond Hill   1     Mighty Eagles   0

Mighty Eagles U13A Crowned 2008 Hangar League Champions     

Congratulations to the Erin Mills Mighty Eagles U13A girls for being crowned the 2008 Hangar League Champions.  Playing at the U14 level at Downsview Park, the Mighty Eagles dominated this competitive division.  On the pitch, the girls played some fantastic soccer compiling a record of 15W - 1L - 3D.   

The girls represented the EMSC well while benefiting from the outstanding ADP programme that was well attended throughout the cold, dark days of winter.  The Mighty Eagles were in first place from the start of the season to the end.  Coupled with being Ontario Indoor Cup Finalists, the girls had an outstanding indoor experience, in 2008.   

Again, great teamwork girls, congratulations, and we hope to bring our indoor successes to the pitch during the upcoming outdoor season.  

Mighty Eagles U13A Finalists West Niagara 2008 

The U13A Erin Mills Mighty Eagles traveled to 10^th Annual West Niagara Invitational in early May.  This tournament is notorious for it’s wet weather, and suspect field conditions.  Despite that, this is a very popular preseason tournament, which attracted 32 U13 girls’ teams, with sixteen teams in the North American Tier 1 division. 

Well the weather was good this year, but the QEW highway was closed making the trip quite eventful, especially for our first game against Kitchener. Many of the players arrived merely twenty minutes before game time and without a proper warm-up, on a horrendous pitch, they struggled early.  In the second half, the Mighty Eagles earned a penalty shot and won the game 1-0. 

In game two, the Mighty Eagles faced a very improved Barrie team on another poor field.  The Mighty Eagles played some inspired possession soccer and defeated Barrie 3-0. 

The last game of the day was played on the best field at this facility.  Despite being a bit tired the Mighty Eagles brought much offense to this game.  Playing against an over-matched but very friendly team from Ottawa the Mighty Eagles prevailed 6-0. 

Championship Sunday just happened to be the same day as Mothers’ day.  We are extremely proud and appreciate all the positive things that our mothers do for our players and this team.  The Quarterfinals was a match-up between two Elite SRSL teams; Welland and Erin Mills.  Welland came out strong and almost took the lead, but for an excellent save by the goalkeeper on a breakaway.  Eventually, The Mighty Eagles scored 2 goals in the first half and hung on to win 2-0.   

In the semi-final it was back to the poor fields against a team that some were surprised to see in the final four.  Scarborough, a well coached team, put up a great fight in a very close game.  The Mighty Eagles scored early and protected their lead to win 1-0.   

So they were now in the finals, undefeated and the only squad not to concede a goal in five games leading to the finals.  In the finals, the Mighty Eagles had most of the early play and chances in the first ten minutes, of the first half.  However, Wexford came back and scored a nice goal midway through the first half and added another one in the second.  The Mighty Eagles came back late in the game scoring one, but it was a case of too little too late, as Wexford won the game 2-1.

Congratulations to the entire Mighty Eagles team, players, coaches, managers, and especially the parents.  Well done Mighty Eagles, you, girls displayed tremendous team and individual skills throughout the first tournament of the season, conceding absolutely no goals up to the Championship final!

West Niagara 2008 

Preliminary Round
Mighty Eagles   1       Kitchener 0
Mighty Eagles   3       Barrie Spirit 0
Mighty Eagles   6       Gloucester  0 

Quarterfinals  

Mighty Eagles  2        Welland 0

Semi-Finals

Mighty Eagles   1       Scarborough Fury 0    

Championship
Wexford 2                 Mighty Eagles  1       

Mighty Eagles U13A Win the Tournament of Champions 2008 

The U13A Erin Mills Mighty Eagles traveled to Rochester, New York to play in the Tournament of Champions.  This tournament attracts and invites teams that have been champions in previous tournaments to compete free of charge in this pretigious event.  In the U13G division, teams competed in at least 10 games over four weekends for the right to play in Championship weekend.  

Well the weather was very good for the three hours drive, which produced various accounts at the USA border; some players waited almost 90 minutes to cross at the slow US border.  However, our next trip to the USA will be much smoother as we travel as a team by coach bus, to New Jersey.  Nevertheless, the soccer facility was impressive with two indoor fields and at least 12 pitches outside.

Again, a few players arrived merely thirty minutes before game time and without a proper warm-up, on an average pitch, they struggled early.  The Mighty Eagles were matched up against a competitive team from the local area; Rochester Futbol Club, who were undefeated throughout the tourney.  Despite having most of the play it was not until late in the second half that the Mighty Eagles earned the victory 2-0.  After the victory, they discovered that the Canadian customary hip hip hooray solute to the opposition was not returned by this US Club, who did not seem interested in shaking hands, either.  

In game two, the Mighty Eagles faced a very friendly team from Amherst New York on a better field, but had to wait an hour for the official to arrive.  The Mighty Eagles played some inspired possession soccer and defeated the Revolution 3-0.  Erin Mills were complimented by the Amherst team numerous times by both the coaches and their parents about our team chemistry, sportsmanship and especially about our ball movement. They welcomed us and wished us a save trip back home to Canada…a very class act!
 

Congratulations to the entire Mighty Eagles team, players, coaches, managers, and especially the parents.  Well done Mighty Eagles, you, girls displayed tremendous team and individual skills throughout the second tournament of the season, conceding absolutely no goals. Oh you looked so marvelous in your new tournament uniforms too!

http://www.thetournamentofchampions.com/info.cfm?subpage=287755

Tournament of Champions 2008

Semi Finals

Mighty Eagles 2           Rochester 0