Oceanside United’s run for a fifth straight MIWSL title and a berth in the BCs hit a speed bump, but the local ladies of soccer bounced back with a 5-nil thrashing of the Wheaties in Nanaimo on Sunday.
Shelly Terpstra and Christina Ciolfi led the charge for Oceanside with two goals apiece and Sandy Morrison added the single.
It was an important win for the local side, who were handed their first loss of the season the week before (Dec. 2) at QB Rec Fields, a 2-1 final against the Outlaws.
Oceanside, who are the only team to have beaten the Outlaws so far this year, that an identical 2-1 final up in Campbell River in September, went into the rematch missing some starters including their captain and leading scorer Ciolfi.
“They came out with fire in their bellies,” chuckled OU coach Dan Mahony, pointing out the Outlaws, armed with the league’s top two scorers, “came out in that game looking for revenge ...and having only played one game in the last four weeks due to byes and the long weekend, we were also quite rusty, especially in the opening half.”
Oceanside United heads into the final weekend of the first half of the season sitting third in the nine-team league at 7-1-1 for 22 points and five points back of the first place Outlaws at 9-1 have played one more game. Nanaimo, at 11 games played, is currently second with 23 points at 7-2-2.
GAME ON
Oceanside United is home this weekend for its last game before the Christmas break to face the first year Revolution in a high noon start.