PCSL

Xtreme Reserves Win Championship
Premier group needs one more win to make playoffs

Meanwhile the Xtreme Premier squad came into the final five games of the season needing to run the table to qualify for the Challenge Cup, of which they are the defending champions. The Tri-Cities side has played four of those games, and has four wins to show for it, including a dominant 8-0 victory on Wednesday night against Surrey United. The Xtreme's final league game is Thursday night (July 24), when they travel to Bellingham to play the PSSA Rapids. It's a must win for the club, as they need all three points to leap past Fraser Valley and claim the final Challenge Cup berth.

"It's been a tough haul these past four games," said Fletcher. "I'm very impressed with the women's resolve. We have been missing several players and we have played in some tough conditions. I have to say it might have been easier to go through the motions down the stretch, but they have really elevated their game. I don't know how much we'll have left in the tank if we make it, but right now we just need to focus on the Rapids and get this last win. We can worry about the weekend later."

Coquitlam, BC - The Tri-Cities Xtreme Reserves won the club's first ever League title on Tuesday evening, doing so in convincing fashion as they thrashed Semiahmoo SC by a score of 7-1. It was the final regular season game for 2008, and the Xtreme needed the full three points leap frog Kamloops and claim the Len McAdams Cup as Reserve Division winners. The Xtreme were led by Michelle Francis (Port Coquitlam), who capped a brilliant regular season with four goals. Katie Fung (Maple Ridge) added a pair, and Marni McMillan (Port Moody) rounded out the scoring.

The victory proved double sweet for Francis. The Coquitlam Metro-Ford product, who has committed to Langara College for the fall, came into the match three goals behind the League leader. The four goal evening moved her into top spot and gave her the League's scoring title (another first for the club) with fifteen goals on the season. "Michelle has had a brilliant season," said head coach Scott Fletcher. "I think she's really gone to a new level this year. She's always been fast, but she actually seems to have another gear this summer, and she's definitely playing with more confidence, which is very important for a striker. I would expect her to have a very good season with Langara this fall."

The Reserves now head into the Challenge Cup tournament this weekend as the top seed. They open the final four event on Saturday at 5:00pm, when they play the fourth placed Fraser Valley Action. (All Challenge Cup games at Cloverdale Athletic Park in Surrey.) The final is scheduled for 3:00pm Sunday.