If Greece recently proved that good defense wins important soccer games in Euro 2004, coach Joe Persi would love nothing more than to see his U-18 Sudbury Panhellenic Clinicare Pharmacy Girls follow suit. Noting that the "character of his team is certainly a solid defensive club", Persi enters Ontario Cup play this weekend with the possibility of advancing directly to Cup semi-final action, a step which would match the previous best attained by this group in years gone by.

Persi and assistant coaches Matt Szalai, Nancy Jacko, Brian Lawlor and Robin Michel have essentially had this team for the past five years, although there are only a handful of members that have been with the team for the entire stretch. In 2003, the squad won gold in both Newmarket and Thornhill and competed recently in the prestigious International Robbie Tournament, dropping a pair of 1-0 matches and posting a pair of ties.

"We've got a whole bunch of new players and we are dealing with some injuries, but overall, we're doing pretty well", said Persi recently. The team plays locally in the women's division of the SRCSL, and still have tournaments in Kitchener as well as the host Panhellenic tournament scheduled before the end of July. On July 10-11, Persi's ladies will face the Sault, Unionville and Richmond Hill for the right to move up the Ontario Cup ladder. Persi remains hopeful that the club's past experience and playing in front of the hometown crowd will be the added boost needed to come out on top.

The roster for the U-18 Panhellenic Girls team includes: Erin Persi, Joanna Fabris, Rebecca Johnston, Sarah Johnston, Desiree Major, Stephanie Michel, Stacey Lawlor, Liane Villano, Savanna Szalai, Melissa Brunet, Laura Simms, Teresa Parada, Marcia Topolnisky, Jenelle Marier as well as Hillary Jacko and Kristen Sarlo, both from North Bay.