The MOWI Riptide soccer program started last weekend Friday night at Merle Logan in Nanaimo, where the U14 girls played the U14 Storm. The game was 1-1 at the half, but the Storm prevailed 3-1 in the end.
On Saturday, the U16 girls lost 3-0 at home to a strong U16 Victoria South team. The U14 girls — playing their second game in less than 24 hours — tied 0-0 with the U14 Victoria South.
The U18 boys lost 2-1 in Victoria against the U18 Gorge-Lakehill-JDF-SF team. The game featured Marcus Cramb and Olyn Kuzyk playing up on permit from the U16 Riptide boys. Logan Pierce was also called up from the U15s to play in goal.
“All three players did an excellent job playing with the older boys team,” Riptide technical director Shel Brodsgaard said.
On Sunday, the U15 boys beat the U15 Storm in a heated battle.
“The U15 boys have grown and matured in many ways the past 12 months and dominated the game for a 3-2 win,” Brodsgaard said.
The U18 girls hosted the U18 Gorge and won 5-1. The U16 boys lost 5-1 in a road game against the U16 Victoria South.
“Being able to see the U14 girls play on Friday night in Nanaimo was a great way to start the weekend,” Brodsgaard said. “The U14 girls and U16 girls are improving and competing in every game. The growth and improvement in the U15 boys is phenomenal, and watching the local U13 teams play one another was an excellent opportunity to view players in game play who have been attending the open trials for the 2020-2021 Riptide U14 teams.”
He said blending Comox Valley United and Riptide players in the Monday Night Development Program has been a rewarding and worthwhile experience for players and coaches. The program concludes after the next session until the new year.