Riptide prevailed 2-1 over Upper Island rivals Storm from Nanaimo in a hard-fought Vancouver Island Premier League U14 boys soccer game Sunday, Nov. 10 at Vanier field.
Playing in excellent fall soccer conditions, Riptide controlled the first half, scoring 10 minutes into the game when Storm defenders lapsed, allowing a quick ball from Nicholas Mitchell through to Charlie Purcell, whose well-placed shot beat the Storm’s goalkeeper cleanly.
Riptide continued to pressure and when a Storm defender fouled Mitchell in the box he made no mistake from the penalty spot to put Riptide up 2-0 at the half.
The Storm pressured well in the second half and closed the gap when they were awarded a penalty kick from a hand-ball call. The final 20 minutes were intense with both keepers called upon to make excellent saves in support of their teams.
With the win, Riptide consolidated their hold on second place in the VIPL U14 division. Riptide travel to play first-place Saanich this weekend, marking the half-way point of the regular season. Their next home game is Sunday, Nov. 24, 2 p.m. at Vanier against the U15 Lakehill/Gorge team from Victoria.
THROW INS The Riptide comprises players from the Comox Valley and Campbell River …. follow the team at leaguelineup.com/VIPL/ …
– Riptide U14 Soccer