Arrowhead FC 1 champions on the pitch
The South West Regional Soccer Association (ARSSO) Senior women’s winter championship had Kahnawake’s Arrowhead FC face off against the only team they had lost to all year, the Valleyfield Rebelles Soccer Club, a duel of the top two teams in this year’s standings.
“We had lost 1-0 to the same team just two weeks ago, so I was nervous the game would be back and forth,” said Paxton Phillips, Arrowhead FC 1 player-coach.
While Phillips was nervous the game would be another close, back-and-forth affair, Arrowhead FC 1 actually maintained control throughout the match.
“We managed to have the ball in our possession for the majority of the game. The score was already 3-0 by halftime, so we had a nice comfortable lead, thanks to our passing, communication, and hustle,” said Phillips.
That score would be the final result, clinching the championship for Arrowhead FC 1.
Kendall Horn scored twice for the champions, and Mya McGregor had the third goal.
The Kahnawake team went 16-1 during the regular season, while the Rebelles finished with a 13-2-2 record.
Arrowhead FC’s strong play throughout the regular season was rewarded with an automatic finals appearance, bypassing the rest of the playoffs.
“We had an incredible season,” said Phillips. “It has definitely given us a nice confidence boost heading into our summer season.”
Phillips said that while the team did not have that many opportunities to train together throughout the winter season, their experience and skill is what brought home the trophy. “We unfortunately haven’t had too many opportunities to train together as a team this season, but we all train and exercise individually and know what we need to do and bring mentally and physically to win a match,” said Phillips.
“All of our past seasons playing together as a team have prepared us and gotten us to the place we are today.”
Two other Arrowhead FC teams participated in the 14-team league, but neither made the playoffs. Arrowhead FC 2 finished with a 5-7-5 record, and Arrowhead FC Junior ended the year with 2-14-1.
Sign up for email updates from The Eastern Door
“Both teams worked great together this past season and have become stronger as a unit and individually as players,” said Phillips.
As Kahnawake soccer gets ready for summer, Phillips said they could not have gotten where they are now without the backing of the community.
“It means the world,” said Phillips.
