Kate the great
Katie Knaflec is the straw that stirs the drink for the E.L. Crossley Cyclone varsity girls soccer team.
The Grade 12 student is a general on the pitch from her centre-midfield position and also chips in offensively from time to time.
Knaflec did both Tuesday, scoring the lone goal of the game, as the Cyclone blanked the Port Colborne Blue Bears 1-0 in a Niagara Regional High School Athletic Association contest at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland.
“My job is to take the ball and control it and distribute it with passes,” Knaflec said. “I enjoy it. I’ve played for Crossley for all four years so I enjoy it. It’s a great role and I think it works well for everyone.”
Crossley coach Maria DiSanto loves what Knaflec brings to the team.
“She is a game-maker. She makes the plays. She’s an asset for sure. She’s quick and able to control the ball and get it to everyone else.”
Knaflec said a key to success for the Cyclone is their willingness to accept their roles on the field.
“We all have great chemistry,” she said. “We all have a role on this team and we all know our roles. Everyone knows how to play and work off each other.”
The Cyclone dominated the first half but came up empty.
“It was pretty frustrating but I don’t think we let it get to us. We just kept working at it and we knew it would come if we kept working,” Knaflec said.
Knaflec, who plays U21 for the Grimsby Wildcats of the Ontario Women’s Soccer League, already has her future mapped out, on and off the field.
She recently committed to the University of Guelph where she will play soccer and major in marine and fresh water biology.
“It feels really nice,” she said. “It was a long process looking at schools and talking to coaches.
“I’m super-happy with my choice. It feels nice to have that set and know what I’m doing and now I can focus on preparing for that.”
The Cyclone, coming off a loss in the semifinals at the Lakeshore Tournament, have high hopes going forward.
“We lost last year at SOSSA (Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association) but we did lose a few girls through graduation so I think (we would like to) get back to SOSSA and see how we do there,” Knaflec said.
DiSanto feels the best is yet to come for her squad.
“They’re going to peak at the right time,” she said.
The Blue Bears, who fell to 0-2-1, received a standout performance from rookie goaltender Grace Luey.
“They’ve never had a goalie until this year so it’s a big deal we actually have a goalie,” Port Colborne coach Rebecca Kilpatrick said.
Luey, who plays at the regional level, made several key stops to keep the Blue Bears within striking range.
“We just played strong the whole time. Our defence is very strong and kept us in the game,” Kilpatrick said.
STATS PACK
Cyclone 1 Blue Bears 0
Mick and Angelo’s/Johnny Rocco’s Player of the Game: Crossley midfielder Katie Knaflec.
E.L. Crossley Cyclone: Knaflec.
Port Colborne Blue Bears: No scoring.
Green is gold: Marin Green earned the shutout for the Cyclone.
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