Michelle Waters fed the net four times and the Oceanside Riots beat the Nanaimo Blues 5-4 in exciting U18 Girls soccer action at Qualicum Beach Rec Fields last Sunday.
“That was a really good game — it was a seesaw battle from start to finish,” Riots’ coach Chris Wilson said that night.
Indeed. Oceanside was leading 3-1 at one point when the Blues battled back to go up 4-3.
“We scored the last two goals, and there was a big goal mouth scramble in front of the net in the dying seconds,” said Wilson, adding a good save and a great clearing kick by one of their defenders salted the win.
Worth noting is that both teams were a player short which meant no subs and a wide open field.
“It was a fun game to watch,” said Wilson, whose side has been riddled with injuries this season. Sunday was only their third win of the season to go along with two draws and five losses.
“It was a real good win — the girls earned it,” she said, adding Waters “scored some outstanding goals today — she was patient and it paid off for her.”
Joyalea Carson-Austin scored Oceanside’s other goal, and Emily Becker “played outstanding in her first game playing goal, ever.”
The Riots are on the road next Sunday against Nanaimo #4.
The district’s other U18 girls side, Oceanside #1, also posted a well-earned win Sunday as they thumped the Tropicana 3-1 in Nanaimo.
All three goals came in the opening half. Gaby Hebert opened the scoring and Chyanne Clark upped it to 2-nil shortly after that and Lexy Berg scored just before the half.
“We had control of the game and they scored with about five minutes left,” said O1 coach Mike Watson.
“There were no spares so everyone dug down deep. They played very well for their first game after a month layoff — we hadn’t played since Dec. 11.”
The win ups O1’s record to 6-2-2 and puts them third in the nine-team league.
The side is back in Nanaimo Sunday for a late game under the lights.
sports@pqbnews.com