It comes down to one game.
The New Westminster Hyacks advanced to today’s (Thursday) senior girls district final, where they face the Burnaby North Vikings.
A repeat of last year’s final, the game at Burnaby Lake West complex will establish the top-seed heading into the zone playdowns against North Shore rivals.
The Vikings were the only team to serve New West with a regulation loss during the regular season, a 1-0 decision 10 days ago. It clinched first place for Burnaby North with a 6-1 record, while the Hyacks, at 6-2 with one forfeit also blemishing their mark, sat second.
New West earned its spot in the final with a 4-1 semifinal victory over the Burnaby Mountain Lions on Tuesday.
The Lions did a good job early limiting the Hyacks offensive bursts, before Sarah Gallant got open and converted Taylor Spong’s well-placed pass at the 21-minute mark.
It stayed 1-0 until the second half, when, after an inspirational talk from Grade 12 Georgia Brydon, New West emerged from the break fully charged. Within four minutes they doubled the lead when Brydon lofted a shot past the Mountain netminder. Setting up the eventual game-winner were Grade 9 Emma Pollard and Grade 11 Aurora Grond.
Just eight minutes later, Christine Singh made it 3-0 with a blast from 25-yards out that caught the crossbar but deflected in off the surprised goalkeeper. Following the example of her younger sister, Grade 12 Crystal Singh worked the give-and-go with Spong, who delivered a perfect pass to Brydon for the fourth goal.
New West netminder Alia Homenuke was in good form, turning aside all Mountain shots until late in the second half, when a Lions player hit the top corner.
In the other semifinal, Burnaby North needed extra time to edge Alpha 2-1.
