Northern Strikers win Alberta Provincial Youth Championships

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Players from the U-17 Northern Strikers celebrate their gold medal victory at Tier II Alberta Soccer Association’s Youth Championships (Back row, left to right: Maddie Bookham, Taris Whickham, Kali Doane, Ranita Luo, Maverick Hunt, Hanna Rickards, Keeli Dyke. Front row, left to right: Mariana Do Vale, Brooklyn Long, Marti Kielo, Elizabeth Bojczuk, Alexa Talbot, Aaliyah Thomas, Aivrielle Caban, Alisha Powar. Not in the photo, Emma Bentley and Sophia Huillery. Submitted by Monica Kielo)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Members of a local soccer club have reason to celebrate after taking the top prize at the Tier II Alberta Soccer Association’s Youth Provincial Championships.

Winning in Edmonton capped off an undefeated season for the U-17 Northern Strikers, a girls’ squad made up of players from Fort St. John and Prince George.

The club faced teams from Calgary, Edmonton, Spruce Grove and Red Deer on their way to a gold medal.

Starting off the tournament against Blizzard Alliance 09 of Calgary, the teams played to a 1-1 draw, with Marti Kielo scoring for the Northern Strikers.

The team’s second match versus the Spruce Grove SA Saints resulted in a 2-0 win for the Strikers, with goals by Mariana Do Vale and shut out by Aaliyah Thomas.

They then finished the round robin portion of the tournament with a resounding 8-1 win over Spirit FC of Airdrie.

Kielo and teammate Alexa Talbot each scored a hat trick with Taris Wickham and Aivrielle Caban also scoring.

In the semi-finals, the Northern Strikers faced Warriors Soccer club of Edmonton. Kali Doane had three goals, and Kielo contributed two as well as Talbot, who had a goal. Do Vale also scored in the 7-1 victory.

Kielo and Talbot also accounted for the offence in the team’s final game, versus the Red Deer Renegades. At the final whistle, the girls had won 3-1, securing the gold.

Overall, the Northern Strikers U-17 squad finished the season with a record of 16 victories, four draws and no losses.

The Tier II indoor soccer provincial tournament took place at the Edmonton Scottish Society’s Sports Dome in Edmonton from March 14th to 16th, 2025.
More information about the Northern Strikers is available on Fort St. John Soccer Club’s website and Facebook page.