Bradford High School girls soccer looks to score at OFSAA

Bradford District High School’s student body will be a little depleted later this week as three of its spring sports teams head to Windsor to compete against the best in the province at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations championships ( OFSAA).

Girls soccer coach Erin Carson expects to see some exciting competition as nine members of her team return to OFSAA after a strong showing there in 2021, where Bradford placed eighth.

“If we stay injury-free, we can make it to the quarterfinals, just like we did in 2021,” said Carson, a science teacher who is also the school’s athletic director.

The school’s girls soccer team has grown in recent years and has an experienced crew with nine of its 16 members in Year 12. The team recorded an unbeaten season with 10 wins, two draws and zero defeats, scoring a total of 64 goals while conceding just two goals all season.

The girls then capped off a stellar regular season with an exciting game last week, defeating St. Peter’s Barrie 4-0 to win the Georgian Bay Secondary Schools Association championship, allowing the team to represent the area at OFSAA starting today and going through the next few days.

During last week’s game, Teagan Pare scored two goals, with Megan Crane and Alexis Viveiros each scoring one. Peyton Barker, meanwhile, made many excellent saves to earn the goal in net.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better team to end my high school career with. All the girls have worked really hard this season, they’ve been dedicated and determined and it showed when we gave it our all to beat them on St. Pete and punch our ticket to OFSAA,” said 12th grade quarterback Kaitlyn Brown.

Also heading to Windsor for OFSAA action are Bradford’s boys soccer and baseball teams. The three teams will see over 50 Bradford students combined take part as hosts Windsor.

“The kids are so excited about it. Especially with so many kids going,” Coach Carson said.

The boys baseball team is looking for a three-peat, returning to OFSAA as GBSSA champions with a well-rounded team.

Carson is also excited about the boys soccer team that posted an undefeated regular season and playoffs.

Bradford’s participation in OFSAA this week is the best showing since the COVID-19 pandemic. Principal David Brooks said it was a reflection of the school’s culture, which encourages participation in sports of all levels and abilities, the arts and academics.

“We have a history here of student involvement in both community sports and school sports,” Brooks said. “We have launched new sports here like cricket for example.

“We are definitely a school where sports are celebrated like the arts and certainly universities. We are delighted that all pupils participate and engage in all aspects of school life.”

Much of this is also based on community relationships with parent involvement and access to facilities at the BWG Leisure Center next door. He points out that swimming was also included in the school curriculum.

As for next season, Carson knows he will have to rebuild the girls soccer team with more than half of its members graduating this year. This, she says, will be a multi-year effort, given that there is not as large a cohort of senior players as this year.

But at OFSAA she is looking for consistent play, building on the season so far. That involves controlling the ball and focusing on passing and shots on net with a strong goal.

“It’s been such a great season, every girl has worked hard to get us where we are. I couldn’t imagine going to OFSAA with a better group of girls,” said the Grade 11 quarterback Addy Beatty as she prepared for the provincial competition. .

“Playing with this group of girls was truly an amazing experience. I look forward to playing soccer at school and playing on this team every year because of how much fun I have. I’m sad that my last season is over, but I’m happy to keep the memories,” added Grade 12 forward Rayne Merry.