In the U14 soccer league, there are no soft spots in the schedule and last Sunday at home was no exception.
The Upper Island Riptide was up against the Lower Island Bays/Peninsula – who was in second place in the U14 Vancouver Island Premier League.
For much of the first half of the contest, play was scrappy and sloppy from both teams. At the twenty minute mark however, it was Lower Island that broke the ice when forward Chad Hegland struck high and with authority over the out-stretched hands of goalkeeper Delton Kruell into the back of the net.
At about the twenty minute mark of the second half, Riptide ‘s Josh Ruston crushed a ball from 23 yards out into the lower corner of the net and the contest was all tied up at one.
Late in the game, a potential disaster loomed for the Riptide as Nick MacGregor was called for tripping in the box, giving the opposition a penalty shot. Keeper Kruell saved the day, stopping the penalty shot and preserving the tie.