Three first-half goals took much of the wind from the sails of Columbus FC in the B.C. Soccer women's A cup final.
Surrey United scored early and often in the opening half to win its ninth consecutive provincial title following a 3-0 victory over Columbus at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex-West on Saturday.
"Our heart was there and our fight was there, but our execution - yeah, it was a tough game," said Columbus defender Lindsay Sadgrove, a Burnaby North grad, following the club's silver-medal finish.
Columbus was put under pressure from the opening kickoff, hemmed into its half of the field for prolonged spells by the superior midfield play from Surrey, which was recently named Sport B.C.'s 2011 team of the year.
New Westminster keeper Cassie Newbrook-Young was forced to make an early stop on goal, and finally surrendered the first tally of the match at 15 minutes when Arianne Adams made Columbus pay for failing to clear out of its own zone.
Moments later, Kristen Vanderpauw had perhaps the best chance of all for Columbus to score, challenging United keeper Devon Wharf on a 50/50 ball, but the impact sent the ball spinning off in another direction and out of harm's way.
Five minutes later, Surrey went up 2-0 on a corner by captain Kate Qually, whose in-swinging kick appeared to go in untouched to the far post.
Former national team player and game MVP Katie Thorlackson got Surrey's final goal in the 40th minute, starting the play to teammate Nicole Stewart and then blasting the return pass into the top corner of the goal, and giving Newbrook-Young no chance on the well-taken volley.
Chantelle Maivs had the best chance by Columbus in the second half to break the shutout.
Although outclassed in the match, Sadgrove said the future continues to look bright for the former Burnaby Girls Canadians club team.
"From here it's just a building thing - working together," Sadgrove said. "I think the girls are wonderful, but it was a tough one today."
In the men's A Cup final, five Burnaby products helped Surrey United Firefighters defeat the Delta United Hurricanes 3-2 in the provincial final.
Colin Streckmann, Steve Kindel, Liam Miller, Andrew Proctor and goalie Andrew Fink all shared in Surrey's win.
Kindel set up Surrey's second goal of the game on a well-executed free kick in the 20th minute. The former Vancouver Whitecaps' set piece was headed into the top corner of the goal by player of the game Steve McAuley.
Jeff Clarke was in on the other two Surrey goals, including the game-winner.
