As the VIPL’s Under-16 Marine Harvest Riptide Boy’s Soccer Team took the field on Sunday (January 17) in
their first game after the league’s holiday break, the boys certainly looked focused and serious about starting
the second half of their regular season with a win. Of course, so did the players from Gorge/Lakehill, and with
that, a brilliant game began at Valleyview field in Comox. Before the game Riptide head coach, Mark Purcell,
commented, ”It’s been a long break but a well-needed rest for the team. We’re approaching play downs now
and every game is key to finishing this season on top.” Right from the opening whistle both teams played with
great intensity, hustling for each and every ball. The Gorge/Lakehill team’s forwards pushed hard and created
a number of scoring opportunities for themselves but were obstructed by the unrelenting backline of the Riptide
anchored by John Samuels and Shohei Iwamoto and by the truly outstanding goaltending of Gary Thiara.
When given the chance the Riptide forwards made the most of their time with the ball too but Gorge/Lakehill’s
goalie made the saves. It was a goalless game at the half.Unfortunately some players were out with injuries
and by the very beginning of the second half Dylan Robertson and Jack Crosby sustained muscle strains –
putting them on the bench. With these injuries Riptide had no substitutions for the second half. Not a great
situation for the team, especially in a game with this kind of high intensity.The second half continued in very
much the same manner as the first with entertaining, skilled play on both sides of the field. If anything the
Riptide likely kept the ball in Gorge/Lakehill’s end more often than the other way around with the team’s
forwards hustling to the ball, making smart passes, and creating chances. In the Riptide end, Thiara made
many more key saves keeping the score at 0-0. With about five minutes remaining in regulation time Charlie
Purcell from Riptide took quick aim and shot a long, hard ball which rang off the Gorge/Lakehill cross bar.
Minutes later Riptide forward, Eugene Park, chipped the ball terrifically from 40 yards with the Gorge/Lakehill
goalie out of position however one of the Gorge/Lakehill players was able to get his head on the ball to make
the save. The players were getting tired but the fans from both teams were enjoying the game
immensely. Gorge/Lakehill made the most of a brief lapse in movement by the Riptide players and scored in
the last 30 seconds of game time. The Riptide players never gave up and displayed great heart looking for a
tie but they just couldn’t get an equalizer. Final score 1-0 for Gorge/Lakehill.Though the Riptide lost this game
the outcomes of the division’s other games allowed the Riptide to remain in third place in the league behind
first-place Saanich Fusion/Prospect Lake and second-place Gorge/Lakehill. The team has a bye this coming
weekend. Their next game is against the Upper Island Storm on January 31st in Campbell River. Game time
and field TBD. Please check www.leaguelineup.com/VIPL/ for details.
