The run to a Fraser Valley championship in junior girls soccer began on Tuesday for the Samuel Robertson Technical (SRT) girls.
They shut out Tamanawis 2-0 despite not playing their best game of the season. Coach Jason Hampton said his girls looked tentative in their playoff opener.
“They were a little nervous, and I think they thought it was going to be easier,” said Hampton.
Outside midfielder Mady McNeil had a good start, using her track-star speed to create offence in the first half.
“She put their back line under pressure a lot,” said Hampton.
But Katelyn Erhardsen has been the team’s biggest weapon all season. SRT has scored 34 goals this year, and the talented centre midfielder has 19 of them.
She took gave SRT the win by hammering in two goals on shots from outside the 18-yard box.
Keeper Asia Jesko had at least one tough save in earning the shutout, but was not busy thanks to a back line anchored by standout Jennifer Lord.
The SRT girls advance to the Valley quarter-finals. If they win another home game on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., they will be in the final four.