7th Annual NC Girls Soccer Showcase Highlights Top Female High School Athletes

Posted: Jun 13, 2022

June 13th, 2022...WELLAND - After a two year hiatus, the Niagara College Knights Annual High School Soccer Showcase returned last week to Youngs Sportsplex in Welland.

The showcase, held annually in June, features the Niagara regions top high school players representing 22 regional schools and was launched in 2014 by long-time assistant coach, Rino Berardi.

Berardi was thrilled to see the showcase get back on it's feet again after being snuffed out by the pandemic the last two seasons,

"A lot of work, by a lot of people, goes into planning this event," said Berardi. "Getting to watch a game as skilled and entertaining as tonight was the reward for the players, parents and soccer fans in attendance."

The format for the Niagara Region High School Soccer showcase sees each local area high school soccer program invited to send their participants of their choosing to the event. Players are split evenly into two rosters, with MVP award winners being selected from each team at the end of the match.

The girls game didn't disappoint as the quality of the match was exceptional with both teams keeping it tight till the very end. Despite the girls being grouped together a short time before the match, both teams played as cohesive units, with periods of possession and exciting attacking opportunities.

Two goals by team white Jayda Rodrigue (Welland Centennial SS) and two goals by team blue Tessa Vahrmeyer (Holy Cross Catholic SS) had the score tied going late into the match. The winner was decided by a Madison Boone (Greater Fort Erie HS) goal late in the match to give team white the 3-2 win.

With two goals each, Rodrigue and Vahrmeyer were selected as game MVP's.

2022 Niagara College recruit Tori Hultink (Smithville Christian) was also selected to participate in the showcase. She managed about 40 minutes until a previous ankle injury cut her night short.

"I was honoured to be selected to play with some of the best girls in the region!," said an enthusiastic Hultink. "It was such a cool environment to be in and also a very high level of ball. Overall it was a great experience to play with girls who's skills I have respected over the years and to build that community between the players."

Hultink's sister, Terin, was also a showcase participant, and has competed for the Niagara Knights soccer and basketball teams since 2019. The older Hultink had a highlight season for the Knights in 2021.

Former showcase player, current Niagara College Knight and 2021 Niagara College Female Athlete of the Year Natasha Desjardins had nothing but praise for the event.

"The Niagara College High School All-Star Soccer Showcase is one of my favourite times of the year," said Desjardins. "There is nothing better than watching some of the Niagara region's best soccer players play with and against one another in such a friendly and competitive environment."

"I believe the quality of the showcase improves every year," said Knights women's head coach, Rob Lalama. "That's a compliment to the players and to all the great coaching these players have received through club and high school. The players are so excited to be participating. They bring a high skill set and a fantastic attitude. The should be very proud of their selection."