Mitch Calvert
Seven players in the local under-12 soccer program have advanced to Phase 1 of the regional one based out of Thunder Bay.
The players were identified at a round-robin tournament in Kenora over the weekend, which also featured players from there, Dryden, and Thunder Bay.
Five girls from Fort Frances participated in the 8-on-8 tournament, teaming up with U13 players from Kenora to complete the squad.
The team went undefeated with two wins and a tie.
Midfield/forward Sydney Radigan netted in four goals over the weekend while defender Claire Hyatt tallied three.
The five girls also played alongside seven local boys in the boys’ division as the team finished 1-2.
Christian Audette and Brett Hahkala each netted a goal over the weekend.
“All players worked hard this weekend and played their best soccer of the summer,” coach Sarah Noonan wrote in an e-mail.
“It’s very exciting as coach to see the improvements players gain by training over the summer.”
The seven players who advanced could not be identified because not all have been notified yet.
Players can advance from the regional program, headed by Thunder Bay coach Dave Collistro, to the provincial and national levels.
The local under-12 soccer program just completed its third season.
Two players were selected for the regional program in the inaugural season while six were picked up last year.
