The Marine Harvest U14 Boys Upper Island Riptide have started their soccer season strong with a four game winning streak. On Saturday September 12, Delton Kruell (goalkeeper) had a shutout and the Riptide defeated Victoria team Bays/PFC 7-0.
The Riptide penetrated into the attacking third with their speedy attacking midfielders (Corbin Collett, Spencer Fleming, Cameron Bell, Alonso Cortez, Corson Arbour) and fast strikers (Fergus Hall, Brayden Hues).
The following day’s match against Nanaimo’s Storm was also exciting with the Riptide winning 4-0. Nerves were high prior to the match due to much of the Storm’s team being comprised of players who went to the Provincials this past summer on the U13 team. Tyler Griffith played an outstanding game in goal and made many crucial saves including a penalty kick. Jakob Tortorelli, Joshua Kalhous, Macyn Leopkey Johnson and Scott Gilfillan made up a formidable defensive line. The holding midfielders (Sam Purcell and Andrew Petrovcic) controlled the pace of the game with crisp passing and beautiful through balls.
Over the weekend, goals were scored by Fergus Hall, Cameron Bell, Sam Purcell, Corban Collett, Alonso Cortez, Brayden Hues, and Tyler Griffith. The team was missing Jackson Bowles and Jerod Timothy due to injuries that first weekend.
On Sunday September 20 the Riptide defeated Victoria team Saanich Fusion/Prospect Lake by a score of 6-2 in Campbell River. Despite heavy rain and high winds, striker Fergus Hall was unstoppable with a hat trick, and in the second half two more goals were scored by Powell River’s Jerod Timothy and one by Corbin Collett. The next Sunday, September 27, saw the team on the road playing Cowichan United under a beautiful sunny sky. Spencer Fleming kicked off the game with the first goal, followed by another hat trick from Fergus Hall; Alonso Cortez and Jerod Timothy each scored one. Despite being outplayed, Cowichan United showed great spirit throughout the match and only allowed one goal in the second half.
Coach Steve Hall is happy with how the boys’ game is developing: “The coaching staff are very happy with how the boys are progressing this early in the season and are looking forward to our next steps. Our ability to hit penetrating passes is increasing and is quickly becoming one of our key strengths.”