The Selkirk Royals’ girls’ soccer team has advanced to the second round of the KPAC tournament.
Selkirk soundly defeated the Kildonan East Reivers 3-0 last Thursday in East St. Paul.
“They played super well. We’ve been working really hard over the last six weeks,” said Royals’ coach Alex Haiart. “The girls are really committed and I am super happy with how they have bought into the whole program and they have been getting better. They have been super coachable over the last six weeks.”
Allison Beattie scored twice for Selkirk (both coming later in the second half) while Jolie Hanslip also tallied off a free kick that went through the keeper’s hands to open the game’s scoring.
“That first goal was a huge confidence boost for the girls in that we know that we belong here and deserve to be in this tournament and have success,” Haiart said.
Beattie had a great game for Selkirk.
Beattie and Madison Hefferman shared the goaltending duties for Selkirk
“Neither of our keepers had to do too much and that’s just a big testament to our back four who played so well that game,” Haiart said.
The Royals played the top-ranked Miles Macdonell Buckeyes this past Monday but no score was available. The Buckeyes defeated the Royals 5-2 in an exhibition game earlier this month.
That game allowed Selkirk to give some players some much-needed game experience. On Monday, playing time was expected to spread out differently.
“We had a lot of players that were very green to the sport,” Haiart said. “That was their first time playing soccer sometimes ever or sometimes in like 10 years. That exhibition game, you do your best to get everyone out. When it comes to the tournament, the girls know that’s not the case. We’re going to put together our best 11 and we’ll do what we can to win.”
In boys’ action, Selkirk was downed 4-1 by the River East Kodiaks last Thursday.
The Royals trailed 2-1 before the Kodiaks scored a pair of late goals.
“We were with them basically the whole game,” said Royals’ coach John Speidel. “They got up on us with a really fluky goal that dropped into the net because of the wind so we were down 1-0 at the half.”
Alvaro Munoz scored for Selkirk with about 20 minutes remaining in the game.
Speidel felt Selkirk played well and had their share of scoring opportunities.
“At the end of the day, River East played well enough to win,” he said.
The Royals played the Kildonan East Reivers on Tuesday but no score was available.
