Oceanside United has been filling the net of late and that trend continued in Nanaimo last Sunday as they shelled the Wheaties 4-nil in Mid Island Women’s Soccer League action.
All four goals came in the first half, “and we also hit five cross bars and two posts,” OU coach Dan Mahony said after, adding the locals “came out on fire against the young Wheaties tea ... the girls picked up where they left off last week (when they scored six second-half goals in a 6-nil lambasting of the league’s then-leading Port Alberni).
Against the Wheaties, Rebecca Collins opened the scoring five minutes in off a rebound; sister Natasha upped it to 2-nil shortly after on a chip shot over the keeper, Jackie Koelewyn made it 3-zip at about the 30 minute mark off a corner kick, and a streaking Taylor Mang buried a Barb Wildman-Spencer cross for the 4-0 halftime lead.
“It was howitzer ... she’s got a powerful shot,” chuckled Mahony.
“I was really pleased with how our players are striking the ball — we’ve been practising our shooting for a couple weeks and it’s starting to pay dividends.”
Mahony also had props for newcomer Samantha Stagg who has been platooned on the right side “and who’s continued hard work and improving skills was evident in Sunday’s game.”
The win lifts OU to 6-1-1 and tied with the Legends from Courtenay for top spot in the 11-team MIWSL.
GAME ON
Oceanside United travels to Courtenay Sunday to play the last place Shooters. OU returns home the following weekend against said Legends in what should be a battle for first.