The Upper Island Riptide U-15 boy’s soccer team played their second game of the 2014-2015 season Sept. 14 against Juan De Fuca-Sooke 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.”
THROW INS The Riptide play in the Vancouver Island Premier League (VIPL), which consists of high-level teams from Lower Island Soccer Association and Upper Island Soccer Association … the 2014-2015 U-15 team is comprised of players from the Comox Valley, Campbell River, Quadra Island and Powell River …
– Upper Island Riptide U-15 Boys