CRU Panther, under-14 girls, overcame an early goal in their shortened 30 minute semifinal game and won Forekicks’ 2006 Winter Indoor League Championship.

Norton’s under-13 team scored within 4 minutes of the start of the semifinal game with CRU Panther on a wonderfully low drive from left of the goal into the far post beating keeper Emily Trebat.

Panther responded with a very disciplined attach that held possession of the ball and resulted in several very good attacks on the Norton keeper.  The defense that included Michelle Coburn, Lindsay Bender and Jillian Biggert and the center midfielders Becca Lueth, Jackie Pounder and Chelsea Reardon controlled play and held Norton to only 2 additional shots in and around the penalty area for the remaining of the game. Defender Caitlyn Burke had to retire from the game due to illness. 

Ashleigh Chretien and Christine Salans started the game as strikers and promptly generated five great shots on goal.  However, the fine Norton keeper was ready and turned away all of their efforts.  At just about the midway point in the game Ashleigh Kaufman and Brynn Killeen took their shifts as forwards and CRU leveled the score at one a piece.

Michelle Coburn took advantage of one of the 23 throw-ins that Norton gave CRU to find Brynn Killeen poised at the top of the penalty box.  Brynn confidently volleyed the throw-in pass the keeper.

That score shook Norton and 5 minutes later with Michelle switching roles, she hammered home a throw-in sent in by Megan Kessler.

That win earned Panther a shot at Norton’s under-14 team who had unusually beaten CRU twice in indoor league competition.  CRU had scored 35 “official” goals while allowing only 8 in ten games over the winter.  Norton had beaten Wrentham resoundingly 5-0 in their semifinal game.

However, there was no stopping CRU Panther this time.  They held Norton to only 7 total shots in their full 60 minute final game.  Once again the defense mounted by Coburn, Bender, Biggert in the back and Lueth, Pounder and Reardon at midfield controlled the play.

As in the first game, a throw-in produced a goal.  Michelle who had and outstanding evening found herself on the receiving end of another Kessler throw-in.  She half-volleyed this one passed a keeper helpless to stop her powerful drive.

CRU found 17 shots in the game as a result of their wonderful ball control.  Chretien, Falcone, Kaufman, Kessler and Pounder all had multiple shots on goal.

Norton did give Panther a scary moment early in the second period.  A Norton break-a-way left CRU keeper Emily Trebat totally exposed.  Trebat came out quickly and powerfully and stopped the initial shot.  However, the rebound found a trailing Norton player at the top of the box and she rifled a shot passed the downed keeper.  Fortunately for CRU Kaufman had raced back into goal and blocked the sure goal.  That rebound was sent right back into goal by the first Norton players but Emily had regained her position in goal and made an easy save.

“A key point in the game came during an exchange in front of your net, where your keeper made 3 terrific saves, followed by a goal-saving play by one of your defenders.  The wind came out of our sails after that, but your kids protected the lead and made it tough for us to get back into the game.”

Norton assistant coach, Michael E. Tavares 

That play certainly boosted CRU’s resolve to win the championship.

Near the end of the second period Catherine Falcone’s powerful full volley from a rebound confirmed CRU’s championship.