Six local girls were on the soccer pitch last weekend in the Vancouver Island Premier League, helping guide the U15 and U16 girls’ teams to the number one and number two seeds heading into their respective playoffs.
The U15 Storm finished as the number one seed in the five team VIPL league. After a first round bye, the Storm played and defeated Gorge (Saanich) on their home turf. The Storm had to play there as their home fields (Nanaimo and Ladysmith) were closed due to the snow.
Maya Gayton, from Qualicum Beach, was a standout on defense as she has been all year. Alex Shaw, also from Qualicum Beach, controlled the ball through the centre midfield while outside mid-field, Kate Reynolds, from Parksville, made several dangerous runs down the outside and Kaitlyn Lee, also from Parksville, helped set up two Storm goals and played well upfront.
This weekend the Storm take on the defending VIPL champs and this year’s number three seed, the Riptide, from Courtney/Comox. The game isn’t scheduled yet due to the weather.
The U16 Storm girls’ squad also advanced to the final this week as they beat the number three seed Riptide 2-0 and will take on the number one seed Saanich Fusion. They have played the Fusion four times this year and have beaten them once.
Local players Grace Yacobowski and Larissa Stefanek , from Qualicum Beach, anchor the defense for the U16 Riptide with Stefanek playing centre defense and Yacobowski in goal.
Their game is also waiting a start time. A win for both teams this weekend means both a trip to provincials and an automatic entry in the quarter final in the B.C. Coastal Cup.