“All these kids,” Stanford said, “have experience at Soccer Canada nationals, with Canada Games teams and the Memorial Sea-Hawks.
“They’re young, no doubt, but they’re not young for experience.”
Holy Cross Avalon Ford is the Newfoundland representative for the Canadian Jubilee Trophy championship, which opens today in metro St. John’s.
Two groups of five teams each are vying for the national crown, with the Crusaders entered in Group B with Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba and the host team, C.B.S. Kirby United,
Holy Cross has its first game 4:30 p.m. today against Ontario at King George V Park in St. John’s.
So just how young is Holy Cross? Kaelyn Burke, at 26 or 27, is considered a veteran of the lot.
Holy Cross won the provincial title this summer, beating Kirby United 1-0 in the provincial final at King George V. The win capped off an unbeaten season for the Crusaders, who finished with 18 wins and a tie.
“Our expectation is to get to the medal round, simple as that,” Stanford said.
“But we’re in a difficult group, no question. Quebec and Ontario are always strong, and you know Kirby is hungry for us.”
The two Newfoundland teams meet in a rematch of the all-Newfoundland final 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Topsail Field in C.B.S.
“We’re a very fit team and in a short tournament, that’s huge,” Stanford said. “Our training has been very good and everyone is healthy.”
Holy Cross is led by ‘attacking’ midfielder Hannah Rivkin, the provincial Jubilee Trophy MVP who scored the winning goal in the final, and Jessie Noseworthy, who tied for the league scoring title with Malorie Harris of Kirby United. Both had 18 goals.
Throw in the league’s top defender and all-star centre-back Paula Whitten, along with fellow all-stars Alyssa Armstrong, Teri Murphy, Michelle Ward, Keisha Younge and keeper Jaime Crocker and Holy Cross is fielding a deep squad.
“And our bench is very deep as well,” Stanford said. “We definitely have the potential to get to the medal round.”
Though they’re two different teams, either Holy Cross or Kirby or teams playing under both banners have won the provincial Jubilee Trophy crown since 2008. With the exception of this year, Kirby’s name has been there all eight years.
EPR Kirby/The Dock won in 2008-09, Holy Cross Kirby Group from 2010-2012, C.B.S. Holy Cross Kirby Group in 2013, Kirby United in 2014 and 2015 and Holy Cross this season.
Kirby United placed sixth at nationals last year and fourth in 2014, while C.B.S. Holy Cross Kirby Group was fifth in the 2013 Canadian championship.
NATIONAL JUBILEE TROPHY
Ten teams are divided into two groups of five. After four games, the top teams in each group play for gold and silver medals, and the second-place teams play for bronze.
All medal and placements games are Monday.
Holy Cross Avalon Ford schedule
4:30 p.m. today, vs Ontario (at King George V)
4:30 p.m. Thursday, vs Kirby United (at Topsail Field)
5 p.m. Saturday, vs Quebec (at King George V)
2:30 p.m. Sunday, vs Manitoba (at Topsail Field)
C.B.S. Kirby United schedule
4:30 p.m. Thursday, vs Holy Cross (at Topsail Field)
4:30 p.m. Friday, vs Quebec (at Topsail Field)
2:30 p.m. Saturday, vs Manitoba (King George V)
noon Sunday, vs Ontario (at Topsail Field)
Related stories:
Big Blue looks to add some gold
Rosters for NL teams in national senior tournaments
NL rosters in Canadian age-group tourneys
“All these kids,” Stanford said, “have experience at Soccer Canada nationals, with Canada Games teams and the Memorial Sea-Hawks.
“They’re young, no doubt, but they’re not young for experience.”
Holy Cross Avalon Ford is the Newfoundland representative for the Canadian Jubilee Trophy championship, which opens today in metro St. John’s.
Two groups of five teams each are vying for the national crown, with the Crusaders entered in Group B with Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba and the host team, C.B.S. Kirby United,
Holy Cross has its first game 4:30 p.m. today against Ontario at King George V Park in St. John’s.
So just how young is Holy Cross? Kaelyn Burke, at 26 or 27, is considered a veteran of the lot.
Holy Cross won the provincial title this summer, beating Kirby United 1-0 in the provincial final at King George V. The win capped off an unbeaten season for the Crusaders, who finished with 18 wins and a tie.
“Our expectation is to get to the medal round, simple as that,” Stanford said.
“But we’re in a difficult group, no question. Quebec and Ontario are always strong, and you know Kirby is hungry for us.”
The two Newfoundland teams meet in a rematch of the all-Newfoundland final 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Topsail Field in C.B.S.
“We’re a very fit team and in a short tournament, that’s huge,” Stanford said. “Our training has been very good and everyone is healthy.”
Holy Cross is led by ‘attacking’ midfielder Hannah Rivkin, the provincial Jubilee Trophy MVP who scored the winning goal in the final, and Jessie Noseworthy, who tied for the league scoring title with Malorie Harris of Kirby United. Both had 18 goals.
Throw in the league’s top defender and all-star centre-back Paula Whitten, along with fellow all-stars Alyssa Armstrong, Teri Murphy, Michelle Ward, Keisha Younge and keeper Jaime Crocker and Holy Cross is fielding a deep squad.
“And our bench is very deep as well,” Stanford said. “We definitely have the potential to get to the medal round.”
Though they’re two different teams, either Holy Cross or Kirby or teams playing under both banners have won the provincial Jubilee Trophy crown since 2008. With the exception of this year, Kirby’s name has been there all eight years.
EPR Kirby/The Dock won in 2008-09, Holy Cross Kirby Group from 2010-2012, C.B.S. Holy Cross Kirby Group in 2013, Kirby United in 2014 and 2015 and Holy Cross this season.
Kirby United placed sixth at nationals last year and fourth in 2014, while C.B.S. Holy Cross Kirby Group was fifth in the 2013 Canadian championship.
NATIONAL JUBILEE TROPHY
Ten teams are divided into two groups of five. After four games, the top teams in each group play for gold and silver medals, and the second-place teams play for bronze.
All medal and placements games are Monday.
Holy Cross Avalon Ford schedule
4:30 p.m. today, vs Ontario (at King George V)
4:30 p.m. Thursday, vs Kirby United (at Topsail Field)
5 p.m. Saturday, vs Quebec (at King George V)
2:30 p.m. Sunday, vs Manitoba (at Topsail Field)
C.B.S. Kirby United schedule
4:30 p.m. Thursday, vs Holy Cross (at Topsail Field)
4:30 p.m. Friday, vs Quebec (at Topsail Field)
2:30 p.m. Saturday, vs Manitoba (King George V)
noon Sunday, vs Ontario (at Topsail Field)
Related stories:
Big Blue looks to add some gold
Rosters for NL teams in national senior tournaments
NL rosters in Canadian age-group tourneys
