The Mid-Island Storm of the newly-floated Vancouver Island Premier League hosted the division-leading, unbeaten Lower Island Bays at Qualicum Beach Rec Fields in U14 Boys soccer action on Sunday, and while they came up on the short end of a 2-nil final, “I thought the kids played easily their best game so far ... they definitely hung in there,” said Storm assistant coach Dave Reynolds.
As the father of two players and the president of Oceanside Youth Soccer, Reynolds was part of the group that cleared the way for the new high performance league.
It’s meant to give players on VI the chance to compete at a higher level than house without leaving the rock.
Also helping out on the sidelines Sunday was coach Claude Bolton.
“He’s a professional coach that came out and helped a lot. It was great for the kids ... that’s the top team in the league, so that was definitely a good result for us.”
Victoria came into the game 2-0 while the Storm, who pencil in local players Andy Reynolds and Aaron Paetkau, are still looking for their first win.
“We really came around today,” sad coach Reynolds, adding, “this is our first season together as a group — a lot of these teams have been together for years, and you can really see the improvement since our first game.”
IN OTHER VIPL action, the U14 Girls Storm, which has seven local players in the lineup, lost 2-1 to first-place Victoria on Saturday at QB Rec fields, missing two starters.
“A real good effort,” said Reynolds, whose daughter Kate scored the opening goal in that one. The Storm lost the game off a penalty shot in extra time.
GAME ON
The U14 Boys Storm host Victoria Bays on Sunday at Nanaimo turf fields. The U14 Girls Storm team is in Victoria on Saturday.