The Zone 5 Explosion Girls soccer team captured a bronze medal at the B.C. Summer Games this past weekend and Valleycliffe resident Brooke Molby proved to be a key part of the victory.
The 12-year-old Valleycliffe resident came up huge in the bronze game against Fraser River Delta, and her proud mother Sacha Molby recalled a key point in the game.
"The game was tied 1-1 and Brooke made just an amazing save," she said. "The other team took a quick shot and Brooke took two quick steps to the right and then launched herself, it was almost like she had springs in her feet. She reached out with both arms and tipped the ball away to make a big save."
The bronze game was a back and forth affair with the Explosion pulling ahead 2-1 only to see Fraser River Delta tie it up moments later. Then, with under a minute to go, the Explosion pulled ahead 3-2 to win the game, avoid the shootout and earn the bronze.
Brooke cherished the entire weekend and seemed to bond with many of the Vancouver based players she normally competes against in regular league play.
"The entire weekend was really a lot of fun," she said. "It was pretty easy to get along with all the other girls, they're really nice."
Her mother also noticed the connections made.
"I think Brooke made some lifelong friends from this experience. It was such a bonding experience for the whole team and for her."
Overall, it was a successful tournament for Brooke, who allowed only six goals in five games. The Explosion had a 2-2 record in the preliminary games, destroying Northwest 10-0 and Cariboo 7-0. But they struggled against Thompson-Okanogan, losing 3-0 and also dropped a close game to Fraser Valley 1-0.
Aside from the bronze medal, Molby took home another unique souvenir from her time with the Explosion. Vancouver Whitecaps star Kara Lang attended one of the girl's early practices and then signed a jersey to be given away to one lucky member of the Explosion. Molby's name was drawn and she was thrilled to be the new owner of the jersey.
Molby will be manning the nets for the U13 麻豆社国产Fireballs in September and the team has already begun practicing. It might be odd for Molby to suit up against the friends she had so much success with during the Summer Games but she will always have the medal and the jersey to remember her successful time as a member of the Explosion.
