The Marine Harvest Upper Island Riptide U15 girls soccer team played long-time rival Nanaimo Storm in a road game on the weekend.
It was the first meeting of the year between the two teams. Both sides recruited several players over the season, which led to a new dynamic on the pitch.
The game started slowly with both teams playing cautiously. There were great battles up and down the pitch with both sides seeking opportunities to score. The first half of the game was scorelesss.
In the second half, the game began to open up. Riptide striker Kassi Ackinclose pocketed her third goal of the season to put her team up by one. The doors slowly began to open as attacking midfielder Alex Vinzenz made a 20-yard dribble to score her second goal of the season. As time ticked away, Kassi solidified the game by a late insurance goal.
The final score was 3-0, in favour of the Riptide.
Goalkeeper Chiara Levesconte earned her first shutout.
The team’s next game is in Victoria against the U16 Prospect Lake.
