Emmy Daughtry powers past a Strathmore defender as the Sabres opened their home tourney last Friday. The Sabres beat Strathmore 3-1, but finished the tournament in fourth place.
There was some exciting soccer action in the valley on Friday and Saturday as the St. Anthony’s Sabres hosted some stiff competition at their second annual invitational tournament.
The Sabres began strong against Strathmore on Friday morning to open the tournament. Maddie Davies, Brittany Stahl and Madison Dube each scored as the Sabres dominated Strathmore, winning 3-1.
Their second game saw them take on Highwood High School. With the wind in their faces for the first half, the Sabres found themselves down by a goal. Highwood scored a second in the second half to go up 2-0. Emilie Toews brought the Sabres closer with a goal, but they ended Friday with a 2-1 loss.
“It was a big game and it doubled as a league game. If we would have won we would have been 2-1 in league play,” said coach Makse. “We didn’t have the physical output I hoped we would have playing at home. But we regrouped and they definitely came to play against Chestermere.”
The Sabres came out kicking against Chestermere in the third place match. Chestermere had a strong team, according to Makse, but the Sabres were up to the challenge, and answered back in the second with a goal.
Sabres continued to dominate play, but Chestermere battled through with a second goal down the homestretch. The clock wound down on the Sabres.
“We really outplayed them and they are a really good team. It was too bad we didn’t see the positives on the scoreboard,” said Makse.
Holy Trinity Academy beat Highwood High in the final.
“It was higher caliber play this year. If we would have had a bit of push in our game against Highwood we would have been in the final,” said Makse.
In all he said the tournament went off well. Organizers are appreciative to Drumheller Dairy Queen, which sponsored the awards for the tournament.
The Sabres only have two more league games before playoffs begin. Tuesday the team went to Okotoks to take on the league’s number one team Foothills Composite (results not available at press time). And then on Thursday, they play Holy Trinity Academy, again on Okotoks.
Coach Makse says what they are really playing for is home field advantage in the playoffs.
“Anything can happen and we are playing for it, I hope we can win. If we rattle off a couple wins we can place as high as third,” said Makse.
