The Cochrane Cobras senior girls soccer team is coming down from three intense days of play with two gold medals dangling from their necks.

The Cobras once again successfully defended their zone championship with a 2-0 win over the Holy Trinity Academy (HTA), Oct. 21, but not before a close semifinal against the Canmore Crusaders.

The Crusaders took a 1-0 lead and became the only team to score on the Cobras in the South Central Conference tier 1 zone finals. The Cobras came back in the second half to tie the game, then struck the winner in the first miniature extra half to avoid going to a shoot out.

"Canmore was one of the toughest matches of the season," say Head Coach Carolyn McLeod.

"The thing about Canmore is they're extremely fit, they don't get tired, they're really strong and they keep running; they're going to outrun you."

In the final, the Cobras went into a defensive formation to protect their 2-0 lead against HTA.

"We had a couple of more chances and we had a few that were pretty close, but the girls were so tired," says  McLeod. "Literally, they just wanted to keep it out of our back end and we did strike into more of a defensive formation."

"It was a close game. They had some chances but I think we had a little more possession and a little bit more opportunity."

Prior to that, the Cobras beat Foothills Composite High, 2-0, in their opening game and HTA, 4-0, prior to the playoff round.

Just the evening before zones started, the Cobras had faced Springbank in an intense divisional title match in which the Cobras played their best game of the year, but it also made for three physically-demanding days. Having a long roster helped them through it, says McLeod.

"By having a long roster we were able to get through the weekend and still have relatively fresh legs in that final match. Everybody played every game, so it was nice, they all contributed to the win, including the divisional win against Springbank."

McLeod said they had a solid team that bonded and were provided strong leadership from their captains.

"This year the team was stronger from the get-go. We had more depth and we have a lot of grade 9s that were among the stronger ones, so it's looking good for next year, too."

The Cobras are perpetual zone and divisional banner winners and it's the first sports final of the new school year.

"For the grade 9s, i think it's really special because it's their first Cobra sport and they just jump right in. It's a pretty awesome opportunity and experience."

She's especially appreciative of the supportive parents and to John Castrillon and Cochrane Minor soccer for helping nurture and promote the sport.

The Bow Valley Bobcats finished sixth after losing a shootout to Okotoks' Foothills Academy. Canmore beat Springbank for bronze.

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Two Finals, Two Medals for Cochrane