In two previous U15 soccer meetings between Powell River Panthers and Juan de Fuca, the teams needed penalty kicks to determine a winner. Panthers prevailed on both occasions.
On Saturday, April 29, Panthers beat its rival for a third time, by a score of 2-0, to win the North Island championship.
“The last time it was so tight and went to penalty shots,” said Panthers coach Tony Rice. “It was good to beat them in regulation and prove the point against them. They haven’t beaten us. It was a good game, for sure.”
Juan de Fuca had the run of play during the first half, according to Rice, until Panthers’ Josh Bolton slid through midfield and sent teammate Doug Thistlethwaite on a breakaway. Thistlethwaite struck the ball over the goalkeeper to give Powell River a 1-0 lead just before halftime.
“We took the play to them in the second half,” said Rice.
Steve Carson scored with 10 minutes to play to secure the victory.
The insurance marker came from about 25 yards out, said Rice. Juan de Fuca’s goalie made a good attempt and managed to touch the ball, but had to watch it roll into the net, he added.
“It was the sweetest goal I’ve scored,” said Carson. “It was low and hard.”
Rice said the play started with midfielder Chris Gray beating a couple of Juan de Fuca players. Gray then passed to Will Rice, who slid it across to Carson, and “then he just drilled it about an inch off the ground. Once that went in, it was done. We finished them off there,” said Rice.
Carson said he does not remember the goal that clearly.
“It happened so fast,” he said. “Everyone was yelling, ‘Shoot, shoot,’ so I just put my head down and let it go.”
Panthers now prepare for the BC U15 Provincial Championship where the top eight teams in the province will compete from July 6 to 9 in Vernon.
“Everyone is so stoked,” said Carson. “Mr. Rice is going to work us hard so we keep that edge.”
The team has never previously advanced to the provincial tournament.
“We’ll be coming out of the weeds,” said Rice. “Those people might not know where Powell River is, but hopefully they’ll know at the end of the tournament.”
