Despite venturing away from home, a group of local athletes have stuck together to form an indoor soccer league team which captured the intramural championship at the University of Western Ontario in London.
Five former members of the Sault Civics soccer program continued to display the skills learned through the local competitive soccer system.
The team, Soo plus 2, which includes Taunia McLean, Jackie McAndrew, Jen Muio, Lauren Catania and Stephanie Bertolli, won the Super Competition Indoor Soccer Intramural League.
After losing their first game of the season, the team went undefeated through the remainder of the schedule.
"We only lost our first game. From then on we didn't look back", said defender Taunia McLean, a former civic player and participant in St. Mary's first season in the local high school soccer league.
"We all love the game and my teammates Jackie McAndrew and Jen Muio and I thank Joe Ceglie our former civic soccer coach for all the hard work and fun he instilled in our game. With Joe we were able to go to the All-Ontario's and to the all prestigious U.S.A. Cup in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
"We relive those memories each time we go out to play another game of soccer, memories of our home town Sault Ste. Marie. We miss the Saultites."
PHOTO: Pictured from left-to-right. Standing is Erica Lee, Lauren Catania, Maggie Garreau, Stephanie Bertolli. Sitting is Breanne Facey, Jackie McAndrew, Jen Muio, and Taunia McLean. Missing from the picture is Sarah Mallow. (photo submitted by Taunia McLean)