Ballenas Secondary School’s senior girls soccer team got its postseason off on the right foot on home field last Thursday with a well-earned 5-nil win over a physical squad of 49ers from Ladysmith.
BSS went into the AA match missing two starters — standout striker Emma Greig and starting keeper Rebecca Bonnell, but the blue and white still dominated.
Ladysmith staked Ballenas to a 1-0 lead with an own-goal about 15 minutes in and Olivia Virs scored 10 minutes later to make it 2-nil Whalers, which is how it stood at the break.
Rachel Jones struck for two second-half goals, one off a breakaway, and Virs iced the win with her second of the game off a long range shot with time winding down.
“They played very well,” BSS coach Larry Stefanek said of his side, adding, “they’re a physical team but we passed the ball very well considering the quality of the (playing) surface, which is not very good.
“It’s the same for both teams, but its always harder for the superior team to play their game.”
Earning props for her play was right middy Kelsey O’Connor.
“She had a strong game — very consistent, great hustler, she goes up and down the wing all day. She defends very well, and jumps up in the play.”
Carmina Rocheleau and Ked Nuamthanong shared the shutout in net.
UP NEXT
The Whalers host Shawnigan Lake’s Stags on Tuesday at 3:45 p.m. at BSS for round two of the three-game district playoffs which determines seeding for the North Island championships.
KSS, who lost to Brentwood 1-nil last Thursday, is home on Tuesday against the Woodlands Golden Eagles.
