Sterkenburg, Boyer and Lynch each score pair in comeback road win
FERGUS – St. Marys U-16 Snipers travelled here last Thursday to take on the 2-11-1 Elora-Fergus Edge at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex. It was not a pretty start. For only the second time this season (first time in league play), the Snipers did not score in the opening half and found themselves trailing 1-0 heading into the intermission.
At the break, coach Jim Burlingham reminded his team to play the Sniper game and not allow the Edge to dictate the speed and play of the game. Unfortunately, the Edge opened the scoring in the second half for a 2-0 lead. Jillian Sterkenburg put St. Marys on the board a short time later on a pass from Grace Shearer. Sarah Lynch quickly tied the score at 2-2, with Kierra Batton earning the assist.
The Edge answered right back, regaining a 3-2 lead on the ensuing drop. With nine minutes remaining, Cierra Boyer tied the count at 3-3 as she and Jessica Burlingham combined to keep Snipers in the game.
Once again though, the Edge reclaimed the lead just 63 seconds later, putting the Snipers down 4-3 with eight minutes remaining. With five minutes to go and killing a penalty, Mel Martin passed to Boyer who picked up her second of the contest, beating the Elora-Fergus goalie to knot the score at 4-4.
With four minutes left and on the powerplay, Sterkenburg netted her second of the game, unassisted, to put St. Marys up 5-4. Just 30 seconds later, Lynch fired her second of the night giving the Snipers a 6-4 advantage as she and Anaya Larmer combined.
That was all the scoring, as St. Marys took the game 6-4 while climbing to 14-2 in the standings to maintain their hold on first place. Goalie Arielle Barber faced 23 shots for the win, with three of the Edge goals coming while on the penalty-kill.
Close loss in Chatham
The U-16 Snipers travelled to Chatham on Sunday to take on the Thunder and dropped a 5-4 decision. Chatham dominated the scoring chances, out-shooting St. Marys 36-15.
Snipers’ goals came off the sticks of Sterkenburg, Martin, Lynch and Boyer. Assists went to Lynch and Martin. Barber made some great stops in net.
Note: Coach Burlingham takes his U-16 Snipers to a tournament in Paris on the Feb. 14-16 weekend.
