Amazon’s coach definitely knows a long shot when she sees one – especially when it involves her own team.

“We’ve had a good couple of games recently where the girls showed a lot of focus and heart. But we don’t really have a chance to finish first in the championship,” admits Isabelle Julian, playing down a recent three-game undefeated streak against some of the FC2 Division’s finest. “The teams ahead of us are really stronger than us. We’re just happy to be improving.”

Despite Julian’s sober assessment, Amazon’s 6-0 win over injury-prone Les Braves leaves the squad one win shy of second spot – the kind of statistical leap that would likely give the division-leading Cougars further reason for pause following a crucial 1-1 draw back in December.

POTG: “I would have to tip my hat to our goalie Maude Lepine, who has been the team’s constant backbone. She’s made some important plays that have kept us in tight games.”

Have a good soccer story to share with the league? Write me at robert_scalia@hotmail.com or tweet me @gracebythegun