Despite loss, memories of final game will last forever

The OSS Rattlers competed in the Provincials this weekend, demonstrating true heart and character.
In the round robin portion of the tournament the girls posted impressive wins over Whistler (5-0) and Langley (3-1) which placed them in a quarter final match up against Ashcroft.
This was a tight game with lots of emotion. In the end Osoyoos wore down Ashcroft and came away with a 3-0 win.
In the semi finals the Rattlers faced St. John's Brebeuf, a strong team from the Surrey area.
This was a great well-paced game with plenty of action. Sadie Quintal opened the scoring mid way through the first frame as she fired a ball into the top of the net. Ashley Elenko converted a corner late in the first frame to make the score two nothing. With their confidence high the Rattlers found the net two more times to come away with a 4-0 victory against a team that eventually won the Bronze medal.
In the final Osoyoos faced Glenlyon-Norfolk who has made the final each of the last four years. This is the first time a public school has made the final as it is usually a match up between private schools from larger centers.
The OSS team came out hard and carried the play but GNS put in a header off a long throw in to open the scoring. OSS continued to attack but could not break through the tenacious defence of GNS. Early in the second half GNS received their first and only corner which their 6'1 captain headed into the far corner of the net. Although the girls were down two with 18 minutes left to play they refused to give up. Sadie Quintal was taken down outside the 18 and Haley Burns put a low ball past the GNS keeper to make the score 2-1. OSS put on the pressure and manufactured several great chances to tie the game but with 8 minutes to go GNS made the score 3-1.
Most counted Osoyoos out and declared GNS the victors but OSS team continued to play and with less than 3 minutes left, Sadie Quintal found the net making the game 3-2 and in the final minute Mila Miller hit a ball from well out which found its way over the keeper to tie the game at 3-3.
In OT the Osoyoos team continued to dominate. However, on the final play of the second overtime GNS was able to sneak one in to win the Provincial Championship.
GNS won the game but Osoyoos won the tournament, said coach Steve Schulting.
For the first time in tournament history, all 10 of the other teams and their parents rallied behind a single team. As the tournament commissioner commented, when the OSS girls scored to tie the game you could probably hear the cheer in downtown Surrey, as players and parents from the other teams jumped up to celebrate with the numerous supportive Osoyoos parents and fans.
This was a game for the history books, a true Disney story. In the end, what will be remembered is not who won and lost but the character, and heart shown by the Osoyoos Rattlers. When the OSS Rattlers were presented their silver medals, they were held on stage by a screaming ovation from all of the other teams, once again something that has not been seen in the past. This was a championship and season that will be remembered for decades.rnAmanda Hilario received a Commissioners 12 award and Sadie Quintal earned the top striker award.