Riptide U16 boys’ soccer team continued where it left off last year. Following an undefeated Vancouver Island Premier League 2011/12 season and Island Championship, Riptide started the 2012/13 season with two wins 2-0 and 6-1 over Juan de Fuca and Prospect Lake respectively.
Juan de Fuca arrived determined to score first, however, solid defence and several highlight reel saves from goalkeeper Michael Girard kept the game scoreless early on. Both Riptide goals were scored by Grayson Chalifoux. Travis Brown’s wizardry in mid-field produced a gift of a pass for Chalifoux’s second goal.
Prospect Lake also started strong, however, early first half goals by Taylor Arbour (unassisted) and Derek Mellish, following a wonderful pass from Ben Gastis, took some wind from Prospect Lake’s sails. With Riptide pressing for a third goal, a desperation clearing kick by a Prospect Lake defender caught the Riptide defence napping, resulting in a foot race and a goal for a 2-1 score. Just before halftime, Chalifoux’s pass led to Nick Chang’s goal.
Early in the second half, Mellish’s second goal, assisted by Niko Cristante, put the game out of reach. Goals by Anthony Vigernon, assisted by Arbour, and Brandon Rairie, assisted by Chalifoux completed the scoring. Final result, 6-1 Riptide.
Next challenge will be against UI Storm in Nanaimo, followed by an early fall headliner on Sunday, September 30 when Riptide faces Saanich Fusion. Saanich is also undefeated, having out-scored its opponents 8-0 over two games. This will be a battle and a true test between two talented and determined sides.
Following the Prospect Lake game, coach Henry Roller said, “Overall the boys have played well, as the scores indicate. Against Saanich our level of play needs to increase. Many scoring opportunities were missed in these two games, and this cannot happen versus Saanich. As well, Saanich has shown they will score plenty this year, so our defence must make better decisions and not have any lapses in judgement.”
