The sun was out in force for the Ballenas Whalers’ regular season home opener last week, but the Kwalikum Kondors rained on their parade, piling on the pressure and taking the senior boys soccer derby 7-0.
On the sidelines coaching the Whalers was Alli Bach.
“Yesterday was our first game because the other ones had been postponed,” she said after the match. “I don’t think that (game) reflects what our season will look like, we’ve got a lot of of strong players, including a lot of international students.”
A Ballenas Secondary grad who went on to be an All-Canadian on the UVic women’s soccer team, Bach returned home to Dist. 69 last year and started her career as a teacher at Kwalikum Secondary School where she coached the Jr. Boys soccer team, and jumped at the chance to return to her alma mater this year.
“I see potential in our team, but we had a rough start,” she said of last Tuesday’s game, pointing out the Kondors capitalized on two penalty kicks in the first 10 minutes, but her squad turned in “a huge improvement in the second half.
“Kwalikum’s strong, fast and talented, and have played a lot more games than we have. Hopefully if we get another chance to play them the score won’t be so lopsided.”
Austin Phye led Kwalikum with three goals; Darien Atkinson and Jesse Binnersley potted a pair each.
The win lifts the Kondors to 3-0 in Mid Island AA league play.
GAME ON
The Whalers were back at it on home field Thursday against the NDSS Islanders.
The Kondors were also in action that same day at Qualicum Beach Rec Fields against the Dover Bay Dolphins.
IN OTHER RESULTS
Kwalikum’s Jr. Boys soccer team beat Golden Eagles from Woodlands 3-1 to remain undefeated in league play.