The MOWI Riptide started the Remembrance weekend with a rare and unique experience Friday night when the U14 girls played the U15 Storm on their home field at Vanier Turf. It was an excellent evening for a great match that would test the younger Riptide girls against the older Storm team. The U14s came out in the first half and battled to a 0-0 scoreline at the half. The first half was filled with excellent pressure, shape, composure on the ball and fight to win the ball from the younger Riptide team. In the second half the older Strom team took an early 1-0 lead moments after the break. The Riptide team maintained their stamina as long as they could last, but were scored on a second time by the Storm. In the final moments of the game, the Riptide was awarded a penalty shot which was saved and held the scoreline at 2-0. Head Coach Shawn Fiddick was impressed with the team performance and ensured the loss laid the foundation for further success with the U14 Riptide Girls.
The U16 Ritpide Girls travelled to Victoria on Saturday for a game against the U15 Victoria South. The team was victorious with a 1-0 win. Head Coach Paul Nimmon was pleased with the result and the fact that the team executed well on the recent coaching points from training. Nimmon noted this was a great chance for the U15 portion of our team to see how they stack up in comparison with a strong Victoria team of the same age. On Sunday, the U18 Riptide Boys travelled to Victoria to play the U17 Lakehill and won 2-0. Facing the fact that both goalkeepers for the team were injured, Joshua Kalhous took to playing goal and the boys were able to walk away with a 2-0 victory. The U16 Boys played at home against the U16 Storm in Campbell River at the Robron Field Turf. The U18 Riptide Girls played at home against the U16 Storm Team and won 11-0. The game featured Mackenzie Styles playing in goal for the Riptide who played up on permit from CVUSC and did a great job. Kassie Aickinclose was also permitted up to play from the Riptide U16 Girls team. The U15 Riptide Boys travelled to Victoria to play the U14 Victoria East team and won 3-2. For the second week in a row, Chiara Le Vesconte played in goal for the U15 Riptide Boys, and did an amazing job filling in for the main goalkeeper for the team Logan Pierce who was playing for the U16 Riptide Boys. Chiara has excelled in her role minding the net for the Riptide this season, now having experience playing with her own team at the U16 Girls level, the U18 Girls level and U15 boys level.
This past weekend also saw Riptide Alumni playing in a variety of Collegiate level soccer action. Emma Skalik was playing for the UVIC Vikes Women’s Team who competed in the U-Sports National Championship held in Victoria. The UVIC Vikes Women’s Soccer Team finished fourth in an event which featured three teama from the Canada West Division finishing in the top four. Both the VIU Men’s and VIU Women’s Teams qualified for the National Championship Finals. The VIU Women’s Team featured Riptide Alumni in Chloe Gummer, Justine McMahon and Taylor Kinley. The VIU Men’s team featured Riptide Alumni Grayson Chalifoux, Taylor Arbour, Karson Kroetsch and Travis Brown. Additionally, Gummer was named to the PacWest All-Star Team this season and Kinley was named PacWest Rookie of the Year. The Peninsula College Pirates completed league play and were undefeated at 15-0. The Pirates have advanced to the regional finals in the NWAC Conference and feature three Riptide Alumni: Tony Powsey, Tommylea Dunbar and Madison Stevens. They defeated Bellingham over the weekend 4-0 which featured a goal by Dunbar and will now face Tacoma on Friday, Nov. 15.
“The teams are gelling and improving weekly as our coaches are moving the teams in the right direction leading into the Christmas break,” technical director Shel Brodsgaard said. “In addition, we have been able to permit players from Tier Three as well as within our program to play which has also been spectacular. The program continues to support and provide opportunity for players to excel, which, when given such opportunities the rewards are tremendous for the players, teams, staff and parents. At the same time, our graduated players are enjoying success at the collegiate level which is very motivating for the U14-U18 players in our program also interested in pursuing a post-secondary education and playing soccer. The VIU Mariners both qualified for the National Championship Finals on Sunday and featured a host of Riptide Alumni. Neither team was victorious in either final, however, the simple fact that they were able to achieve such a feat is remarkably rewarding.”