In an effort to provide a more consistent approach to offering coverage for the wide variety of sports that are highlighted on SudburySports.com, we've decided to include a new feature. Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly divisional/league updates will offer a wide array of statistical tidbits, roster updates, tournament results for participating teams. Valley East Soccer will be featured monthly - next update is August 16th

Valley East Competitive U-10 Girls

Despite a very solid showing in the round robin portion of the Georgetown Youth Soccer Tournament, the Valley East U-10 Girls narrowly missed out on advancing to semi-final action, falling just one goal short in the tie-breaker. With a record of two wins and a tie, Andy Charsley's crew appeared to be in pretty good shape heading into the playoff round.

Unfortunately, only the division's top team would advance to the final four of the 14-team tournament and Brams United nabbed the playoff berth with a + 3 goal differential, edging out Valley East with a rating of + 2. The teams opened round robin action by playing to a 1-1 draw as Jenna Gough netted the only Valley East goal.

The young ladies proceeded to post a pair of single goal victories, trimming Georgetown 2-1 on a two-goal effort from Sydney Walker and slipping past Flamborough 3-2. Marissa Lemega and Brandy Charsley joined Walker on the scoresheet for the victors.

The team next takes to the field in tournament play on August 19th-20th, participating in the Oakville Regional event. As the U-10 squad prepares for the move to full-sized fields in 2007, the team will be hosting tryouts beginning in mid-August. Tryout sessions for the group that will compete in the SRCSL (Sudbury Regional Competitive Soccer League) next summer are as follows:

Monday, August 14th - 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Hanmer High
Wednesday, August 16th - 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Hanmer High
Monday, August 21st - 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Hanmer High
Wednesday, August 23rd - 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Hanmer High

For additional information, kindly contact either Andy Charsley at 897-3411 or Greg Smuland at 897-3514.

Valley East U-18 Girls - All-Star team

Assembled for the purposes of competing in the Panhellenic Tournament as well as one other late season out of town event, the Valley East U-18 Girls have not enjoyed the benefit of familiarity that comes with playing together this summer. But that didn't seem to prove too much of a challenge to overcome as the Valley girls finished with three ties and a win in round robin action at the Pan event.

Valley East tied the Sudburnia Wildcats 1-1, played to a scoreless draw with the Panhellenic U-18 girls and blanked the Ramara Rockets 7-0, setting up a must-win final preliminary round contest in order to advance to the semi-finals. Facing the Soo Thunder, who had outscored their opposition 17-0 in rolling up three straight wins, would prove a daunting task, with the locals falling just short after a 1-1 deadlock with Sault Ste Marie.

While the squad missed some of the timing that is critical for offensive success, the ladies displayed a tight defensive emphasis, resulting in just two goals allowed over the four game stretch. Valley East will now prepare for a season-ending trip to the Unionville-Milliken All-Star Tournament on August 26th-27th.

Members of the Valley East U-18 Girls team included: Britanie Belanger, Christine Venne, Jasmine Guerin, Kacey Leslie, Sophie Guerin, Jessica Schroeder, Danielle Andree Pilon, Melissa Sullivan, Natasha Gascon, Amanda Donnelly, Melanie Marion Beaudry, Jocelyne Philippe, Sara Gascon and keeper Jessica Carson. Coaches are Sylvie Venne and Lynne Guerin.

End of Year Playoff Weekend

More than 100 teams strong, the Valley East Soccer Club will conclude the houseleague portion of their 2006 season on August 11th-12th and 13th with the final playoff weekend. All teams will see action, with participants receiving keepsake trophies as well as pop and pizza at the conclusion of their games.

Local soccer fans are welcome to come out and enjoy the weekend's activities as there is no admission fee to any of the games. As well, players and parents alike have no doubt noted the progress being made on the construction of five new full size fields being built at the Howard Armstrong Recreation Complex on Dominion Drive. It's expected that the fields will be available for use in 2007, allowing league executive the benefit of even greater centralization of games.