The Under-15 Upper Island Riptide Boy’s Soccer Team played their second game of season Sunday, against Juan De Fuca-Sooke.
Playing at the Sportsplex in Campbell River, the 2013-2014 Provincial A Cup Champions from Upper Island definitely had something to prove this match, having lost their season-opener to Gorge-Lakehill last weekend.
The Riptide stepped up the intensity for this game and played solidly on offense and defence, leading to plenty of scoring chances throughout the match. Charlie Purcell, Eugene Park, and Jaylon Grenier scored goals in the first half while Navarre White and Purcell each netted a goal in the second.
The goalies, Jared Perras and Gary Thiara, held their own between the posts stopping all shots from the opposing team, resulting in a final score of 5-0 for Upper Island.
After the game Riptide’s head coach, Bruce Mitchell, commented, “I was really impressed with how the boys reacted to last weeks loss. This week we saw more intensity and a greater commitment from each and every boy. Their passing and movement was much sharper and they worked harder as a unit. That is what I am most proud of. The boys are always thrilled when they score lots of goals, but for the coaching staff it is more about how they played and not what the final score is.”
The Riptide’s next game is Sunday. The team plays Upper Island Storm in Nanaimo. Game time and location to be announced later this week.
Check www.leaguelineup.com/VIPL/ for details.