Post by IAMCAPER on Jun 28, 2004 11:53:13 GMT -4
NEW WATERFORD – Striking fear into the hearts of opposition goalkeepers has become a specialty of Samantha MacKinnon of the Cape Breton Selects under-14 girls soccer team.
The New Waterford striker has struck for an impressive 20 goals through the first nine games of the Nova Scotia Soccer League season. That total is well beyond the second and third place scorers in the league. Christina Henneberry of Scotia has seven and MacKinnon’s teammate Danielle Dalton has six goals, to date.
In spite of her obvious abilities, the modest 13-year-old credits her Selects teammates for her success.
“They are the ones that get me the ball,” said the daughter of Tony and Nancy MacKinnon.
“Ceilidh (MacDonald) starts the play in our end, then she gets (the ball) to Danielle (Dalton) and she looks for me.”
MacKinnon said Dalton’s unselfish passes are especially appreciated because she also has the ability to put the ball past opposition keepers.
“There are a lot of people who can score on our team.”
MacKinnon’s offensive prowess has earned her a spot on the 2004 provincial under-14 soccer team. Last season she was a member of Nova Scotia’s under-13 squad.
Her long term goals involve playing university soccer and earning a spot on Canada’s national team.
Selects coach John Dalton said MacKinnon’s presence means his team always has a chance to score.
“Right now she is the only the real class striker in the league — someone that is a real threat all of the time to score.”
The under-14 girls coach said his forward can score from anywhere in the offensive zone.
“She shoots well with both feet and not all of the girls in the league can say that.”
“Most of her goals are just good, hard shots. She can score just about in any way.”
Dalton noted that MacKinnon was also the leading scorer in the NSSL last season.
Robbie Chiasson, technical director for Soccer Cape Breton, calls MacKinnon “a special player.”
“She is a solid player with good skills and has a great attitude toward the game,” said Chiasson, who has seen most of the under-14 girls Selects games this season.
Chiasson believes MacKinnon’s success is derived from her natural athletic ability.
“She is strong and fast and powerful.”
Thanks in part to MacKinnon’s goal scoring the Selects sit atop the NSSL under-14 girls standings with a perfect 9-0 record.
Their next game is against provincial rivals Scotia (Sackville) Saturday and Sunday on the turf in New Waterford.
MacKinnon’s scoring abilities will be tested in those games, as Scotia has yet to allow a goal against in their 5-0 start to the season.
The New Waterford striker has struck for an impressive 20 goals through the first nine games of the Nova Scotia Soccer League season. That total is well beyond the second and third place scorers in the league. Christina Henneberry of Scotia has seven and MacKinnon’s teammate Danielle Dalton has six goals, to date.
In spite of her obvious abilities, the modest 13-year-old credits her Selects teammates for her success.
“They are the ones that get me the ball,” said the daughter of Tony and Nancy MacKinnon.
“Ceilidh (MacDonald) starts the play in our end, then she gets (the ball) to Danielle (Dalton) and she looks for me.”
MacKinnon said Dalton’s unselfish passes are especially appreciated because she also has the ability to put the ball past opposition keepers.
“There are a lot of people who can score on our team.”
MacKinnon’s offensive prowess has earned her a spot on the 2004 provincial under-14 soccer team. Last season she was a member of Nova Scotia’s under-13 squad.
Her long term goals involve playing university soccer and earning a spot on Canada’s national team.
Selects coach John Dalton said MacKinnon’s presence means his team always has a chance to score.
“Right now she is the only the real class striker in the league — someone that is a real threat all of the time to score.”
The under-14 girls coach said his forward can score from anywhere in the offensive zone.
“She shoots well with both feet and not all of the girls in the league can say that.”
“Most of her goals are just good, hard shots. She can score just about in any way.”
Dalton noted that MacKinnon was also the leading scorer in the NSSL last season.
Robbie Chiasson, technical director for Soccer Cape Breton, calls MacKinnon “a special player.”
“She is a solid player with good skills and has a great attitude toward the game,” said Chiasson, who has seen most of the under-14 girls Selects games this season.
Chiasson believes MacKinnon’s success is derived from her natural athletic ability.
“She is strong and fast and powerful.”
Thanks in part to MacKinnon’s goal scoring the Selects sit atop the NSSL under-14 girls standings with a perfect 9-0 record.
Their next game is against provincial rivals Scotia (Sackville) Saturday and Sunday on the turf in New Waterford.
MacKinnon’s scoring abilities will be tested in those games, as Scotia has yet to allow a goal against in their 5-0 start to the season.