Galaxy wins 2012 Jubilee Trophy national title
Posted on 8 October 2012 in Jubilee Trophy
North London Galaxy (ON)
They knew on paper they were the underdogs, but they also knew that once the whistle blew nothing that anyone had written would be of consequence. The only story that would matter would be the one written from the result on the score sheet.
"We knew coming in that we were the underdogs," said North London Galaxy captain Emily Costello. "We just knew we needed to grind through the first 20 minutes and then start to play our own game. We got a good goal in the first half and we then held them for the rest of the game."
North London Galaxy are 2012 Jubilee Trophy senior women's champions after a 1:0 victory over last year's winners Surrey United. Natalie McCabe scored the lone goal of the match after which centre back Emily Costello and her back line held the nine-time British Columbia champions at zero.
This marks the first time North London has won the Jubilee Trophy, a victory that comes four years after a 2:3 defeat in the 2008 championship final to Halifax City. North London finished fifth in 2009.
"It is all worth it," said Costello, who missed the tournament in 2008 because of work commitments. "We trained all year for this. We have been here a few times and have come up short. It was a good time to win it."
Surrey United had been perfect in four victories without conceding a goal, scoring 17 goals against the opposition. The first ripple in their 2012 tournament was the McCabe goal in the 42nd minute, a goal that gave life to the North London defensive vigor.
Surrey United tried to build several attacks in the second half, but North London pushed back every time. North London also nearly made it 2-0, but teenager Rebecca Jefferson hit the post and Surrey United cleared the line.
Surrey United had a glorious chance in the second half after Katie Thorlakson beat a pair of players down the line, then crossed the ball into the box with a pair of attackers in prime position. Rachael Pelat got her foot on the ball, but the delivery went wide of the target.
The 2012 Jubilee Trophy championship final was played on Monday 8 October at the Winnipeg Soccer Complex in Winnipeg, MB. The match, played in cold weather with a light drizzle, was refereed by Sheena Dickson. The match was also broadcast live across Canada via CanadaSoccer.com.
While Surrey United won a silver medal, it was Saskatoon's Hollandia Impact that won a bronze medal following a come-from-behind 3:2 a.e.t. victory over Royal Sélect Beauport. Elizabeth Hudon scored a hat trick in the bronze-medal match.
