An all-Cochrane showdown at Rangers Field Sept. 20 kicked off the start of the 2022 high-school girls’ soccer season between neighbouring rivals, but ended with a decisive 8-0 victory for the Cochrane High Cobras over the Bow Valley Bobcats.
Despite their best efforts, the Bobcats’ defenders could not keep out the overwhelming offensive press shown by Cochrane, leading to the crimson-clad Cobras racking up seven goals by the end of the first half.
The second half saw a stronger defensive effort by the Bobcats, who kept the Cobras’ scoring to just one goal for the remaining 45 minutes of the match.
Emily Barrett and Ava Zarowny scored two goals apiece for the Cobras, while Dusty Bennett, Avery Schafer, Hannah Tas, and Jasmine Tawfik netted one goal each.
“I thought they played really well. The first game is always the hardest, because both teams are a little nervous,” said Cobras head coach Carolyn McLeod.
“It’s just getting the touch back and by the time they got to the second half, they were looking like themselves again.”
With five new additions to the Cobras’ roster this fall, McLeod remarked the newcomers’ chemistry with the team’s established players is already phenomenal, and are welcome additions to the group.
“The team is quite similar to last year’s; we have 15 returning players, which is pretty incredible,” McLeod said. “And we took on five new players and the girls are amazing.”
Even though the result was one-sided, Cobras captain Hanna Tas paid respect to their local opponents' performance last Tuesday.
“I thought [the Bobcats] were very good, they held up a fight,” she said. “There were a few moments where we had to get ourselves back into shape, but that’s part of it all and it [was] just a fun game.”
Despite being kept off the scoreboard against their local rivals, the Bobcats were proud of their performance and aim to win the next time they meet on the pitch.
“We played awesome and the Cobra girls are amazing, good job for them,” said Bow Valley player Jordan Tolton, speaking alongside her fellow Bow Valley Bobcats teammates. “Second half we pulled together a little bit, but it was a great game.
“We love to come out and playing, hopefully if we play them again this season, we can beat them.”
Defending Champs
As defending Rocky View Sports Association (RVSA) and South-Central Zone champions from 2021, the Cobras are prepared to defend their titles for another season.
“We have depth, which is good, and we’re strong right to the 20th player,” McLeod said. “So, it’s good to know we can toss any girl into any position and we’re not changing our game too much.
“I know there’s going to be a couple of strong teams in the mix, [but] we’ll be ready for that when it comes and hopefully get a little bit of competition. I think the girls are going to have a really good season.”
Cochrane captain Tas is hopeful the Cobras can defend their titles this season, but remains wary of the competition.
“We have a lot of strong players and good chemistry, so I think we have a good chance,” she said. “But I don’t want to jinx it, since there are some strong competitors out there.”
As evidence they have a point to prove this season, the Springbank Phoenix – last year’s runner-up to Cochrane in the RVSA – began their season Sept. 20 with a merciless victory over the Bert Church Chargers, putting double-digit goals past the shell-shocked Airdrie team.
Upcoming matches
The Cobras followed up their season-opening with with another one-sided encounter Sept. 22, beating the W.H. Croxford Cavaliers 10-2 at Rangers Field.
The Bobcats, meanwhile, travelled to Airdrie the same day to face the George McDougall Mustangs, who were coming off a 3-0 loss to Croxford in their 2022 season-opener. Bow Valley earned their first win of the season, narrowly beating the Mustangs 4-3.
To learn more about local high-school soccer scores, future matches, and other information, visit rvsa.rockyview.ab.ca. Matches typically take place at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the season running until late October.
