Whalers strong in derby

Parksville and Qualicum Beach high school soccer teams go head to head

The Whalers’ Jenna Pearce battles her counterpart from KSS Nikki Krishka in last week’s Sr. Girls derby match played out at BSS.

The Whalers’ Jenna Pearce battles her counterpart from KSS Nikki Krishka in last week’s Sr. Girls derby match played out at BSS.

Oceanside’s two senior girls soccer teams took to the pitch for their annual derby at Ballenas Secondary School last Wednesday, and it was the hosts with the most in a 7-nil final.

In what was the final regular season game for both teams, BSS led 2-0 at the half and never looked back with goals from five different players.

Emily Robertson led the way with a pair with singles by Lexy Berg, Jazmine Riviere, Laura Shortt, Sarah Spencer and an own-goal.

Marisa Watson bagged the bagel in net, her first of the year.

On the ball and making life miserable for the Kondors was right middy Jenna Pearce.

“She had a real strong game,” confirmed BSS head coach Larry Steffanek, adding his striker Robertson “is just a natural goal scorer. She’s only in Grade 10 but she’s good — she’s playing really well.”

Also earning props for her play on defence was Tianna Squire.

The win ups the Whalers’ regular season record to 4-0 for a lock on first overall in their league with their other wins coming against Woodlands (5-1) and Wellington (2-1). The week prior they hung on to beat NDSS at Ballenas in a penalty shootout after a 4-4 tie through regulation.

KSS is on the bubble and will know this week if they’re in the playoffs.

Ballenas’ senior girls side also placed third at their first tournament of the year, two weeks ago in Campbell River at Carihi — going 3-1.

The BSS Jr. Girls are 1-3 in their league.

Stefanek is overseeing both teams, with Daryl Britz helping out on the seniors.

“They’re doing very well,” Stefanek said of the two sides, adding “it’s such a short season it’s hard to get a lot of training time in, but they’re young and enthusiastic though, so lots of potential there.”

IN OTHER ACTION the KSS Jr. Girls lost 2-1 to the NDSS Islanders in Nanaimo last Wednesday.

KSS led that one 1-nil at the half off a great shot by fullback Montanna Mosher from 25 yards out. According to Kondor coach Ruth Steffanek NDSS scored both their goals in the last 20 minutes of the game — the winner with only four minutes remaining.

The Kondors were coming off a hard-fought loss to Dover Bay in overtime. That game was tied 1-1 after regulation — Alex Shaw scored for KSS in that one, a cracker shot 10 minutes in from about 20 yards out.

GAME ON:  Ballenas’ Jr. Girls have one league game remaining likely this Wednesday on the road, while the Kwalikum Jr. Girls are home at KSS today (Tuesday) to host a strong Ladysmith 49ers side (3:30 p.m. start), then close out their regular season in Nanaimo on Wednesday against the Wildcats of Wellington.

Parksville Qualicum Beach News