Wolves heading to showcase tournament
The St. Catharines Club Roma Wolves 2008 U16 girls squad is looking forward to being in the spotlight at the largest youth soccer tournament in North America.
The Wolves, who play in the Niagara Regional Soccer Program, leave Monday for the Target USA CUP which features 1,200 teams from all over the world playing games at the National Sports Center 860 acre campus in Blaine, Minn.
“We won the Canadian qualifier last September so we earned free registration for the event. It’s finally here eight, nine months later, so they’re excited to finally get going,” coach Walter Camelino said. “They’re pretty excited about it and are appreciating the opportunity that’s being given to them. They’re digging their heels in and putting in the work and that’s nice to see.”
The week-long event will provide both exposure for the players as well as an opportunity to play against elite teams from across the globe.
“We always look for the results but at the end of the day exposure is No. 1 and No. 2 is that we get better as a group. I don’t expect to go out there against teams from Brazil and not learn a different style of play,” Camelino said.
Roma forward Brooke Stevens can’t wait for the tournament to start.
“It is amazing,” said Stevens, a 15-year-old Grimsby resident said. “I’m super excited. It’s a great opportunity for everyone, individually and as a team.
“It’s going to be hard for sure. It’s going to be tough but I think our team is ready, especially after going to Florida. That was a big step in itself.”
Alexa Beaulieu said the Wolves have been practising hard in anticipation of the tournament.
“We’ve been waiting for this tournament and we’re excited and been waiting for this moment,” the 15-year-old Stoney Creek resident said. “It’s going to be a fun experience. It’s going to be something that we’ve never had before and be great competition and we’ll get to see how other teams are from around the world.”
Chloe McNeil, who attends Sir Winston Churchill, is also looking forward to the opportunity.
“It’s a great experience and a good opportunity to get in front of eyes,” she said. “We go into these showcases to get in front of as many people as possible.”
McNeil said ball possession will be crucial.
“Of course individual skills are important, but scouts are looking for possession and how you work with others.”
The Wolves are off to a 4-0 start in NRSP play.
Following is the team roster.
3: Chloe McNeil
4: Ava Rose
5: Bronwyn Hunter
7: Zeynep Coskan Johnson
8: Sophia Verrelli
9: Reese Rotella
10: Mackenzie Munro-Flora
11: Ashlyn Armstrong
13: Kella Montgomery
14: Vanessa Dube
16: Brooke Stevens
19: Mackenzie Kikkert
21: Kaylee Peterson
29: Sophie Solodiuk
31: Alexa Beaulieu
41: Thalia Camelino
93: Daphne Gray
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