The U18 Riptide girls soccer team, made up of players from Port Hardy, Powell River, Campbell River and the Comox Valley, finished regular league play on Sunday, and have maintained their position at the top of the standings in the Upper Island VIPL league.
After 20 games played, they remain undefeated, with only 11 goals against vs 75 goals for. Now they head into the playoffs. The girls must now ready themselves to meet the same, but more determined, opposition in the final matches that could take them to the Coastal Cup and provincial games.
The coaches and technical staff have shaped a very strong team, both offensively and defensively, in low pressure and high pressure situations, and practice holding and moving the ball to their advantage. This season, the girls have learned to “swang it” to open up the play and create greater scoring opportunities.
In preparation for the upcoming playoff matches in March, the girls will be heading south again, to Port Angeles to play Peninsula College, and closer to home to UVIC, and VIU, to meet with stronger women’s teams. Playoff matches will be in the first two weeks of March.