The Parkland senior girls soccer team is second best on the Island.
After winning all three round robin games over two days the Parkland Panthers earned a spot in finals, and a berth at provincials.
The North Saanich school team fell to Lambrick Park secondary in extra time during the AA Island championships last week at St. Micheals University school.
Panther Meghan King opened the scoring in the final match just before the half to lead 1-0. Lambrick tied the score early in the second at 1-1.
Striker Emma Maynard split the Lambrick defense and put the ball past their challenging keeper to give Parkland a 2-1 lead.
The Parkland defense was clearing most of Lambrick’s balls and keeping their scoring opportunities to a minimum.
It looked like Parkland was going to win an Island championship, when with only two minutes to go, the Lambrick midfielder took a booming shot into the wind that sailed just beyond Parkland keeper Kate Service’s outstretched fingers.
Parkland had a couple of scoring opportunities at the beginning of the 15 minute overtime but Lambrick capitalized on a slight communication glitch between the Parkland keeper and her defense.
The Lady Panthers fought back valiantly with great determination and had some close calls including a header that just bounced off the Lambrick cross bar.
Also in the last minute of play, captain Katie Kraeutner bounced one off the Lambrick keeper’s chest and King put the rebound just over the net.
The second place finish allows the local teens to take part in AA provincials May 31 to June 2 at Sa-hali secondary in Kamloops.
