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Sports Oakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax 905-337-5567 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com · FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2008 39 Personal sacrifices key to Phantoms' success U17 girls win second Ontario Cup in three years By Jon Kuiperij defence and things take care of themselves is true," said Uremovich. "We were very tough defensively. In Ontario Cup, A lot of things had to go right for the we allowed only two goals in the six Oakville Phantoms on their way to the games leading up to (the final) and Ontario Cup under-17 girls' champi- scored 20." The Phantoms' season isn't over yet, onship. The Phantoms were on the right side as they will represent Ontario against the of three consecutive one-goal games to Quebec under-18 champions in a twoclose out the Ontario Cup playdowns, game series Oct. 11-12. But the Ontario including a 1-0 victory over Erin Mills Cup championship marks the pinnacle of Eagles B in Sunday's title game at the a successful year that was also designed to expose the players to American college Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan. scouts. So, even after winning The Phantoms compettheir second Ontario Cup "They make their ed in showcase tournaoutdoor crown in the past sacrifices for the ments in New Jersey, three years to go along with team and that Cincinnati and Indianapolis, indoor championships in and Uremovich estimates 2005 and 2006, the makes a big more than half his players Phantoms aren't taking difference." received offers from U.S. their latest title for granted. schools as a result. "When you're not the Oakville Phantoms "The talent on this team underdog, everyone's got a coach Peter Uremovich is superb and there were a target for you and they play their best games against you. You just lot of eyes on them," he said. "A lot of become a bigger target if you win, and them want to stay close to home (howeveveryone sharpens up to knock you off," er) so I'm not sure how many will take said Oakville head coach Peter (those offers) up." Uremovich has been with the team Uremovich, whose squad posted 2-1 extra-time wins over Brampton (quarter- since the all-star U9 level, as have his finals) and Kanata (semifinals) earlier in daughter Angelika, Erin Tilley, Emily the playdowns. "It's been tough going, Maganja, Ali Palmer and McKenna. but the kids really put in a lot of effort. Karine Lanctot began playing for the They sacrifice a lot to get the success. team shortly after that. The coach anticipates three-quarters They're getting older and, to give up a lot of their social events, jobs, trips to the cot- of the squad will return next season. Despite the Phantoms' longterm suctage... they make their sacrifices for the cess, they haven't yet managed to comteam and that makes a big difference." Sunday's win over Erin Mills didn't pete for a national title. Nationals are come easily, either. Both teams struggled held in the U14, U16 and U18 age groups, in windy conditions on the Ontario leaving them one more opportunity. Soccer Centre's artificial turf field, but Oakville lost to London in both last year's the Phantoms -- as they seem to have a Ontario Cup semifinals and the 2005 final. knack for -- found a way to win. Other members of the team, expected Tara Dawdy scored the lone goal of the game, finishing a series of passes that to be on top of the next overall Terra included several other teammates. Oakville Power Rankings, are Coco Kontos, Cara keeper Taryn McKenna, who anchored a Cutaia, Shelby Dawdy, Kristian defensive unit that allowed an Ontario Visconti, Alicja Giftopoulos, Shannon Youth Soccer League-low seven goals in Fisher, Leandra Covello, Michaela DiFazio, Sam Bright and Carley league play this year, earned the shutout. "The whole thing about playing solid Luongo. BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR CHAMPIONS: Above, Oakville under-17 Phantoms defender Ali Palmer (15) leaps into the arms of keeper Taryn McKenna after the Phantoms' Ontario Cup win last weekend. Right, the championship team. TOP PHOTO BY TIM MCKENNA / SPECIAL TO THE OAKVILLE BEAVER