The Marine Harvest Riptide have two new Port Hardy soccer player additions this season: Kayley Clair for the U14 girls and Tianna Walkus for the U16 girls.
Players this year from Port Hardy consist of Jaylon Grenier (U18) Lyam Donetz (U18), Trey Morash (U18), Tyrone Wallas (U18), Georgia Walkus (U16), Mady Harris (U16), Kristen Clair (U16), Tianna Walkus (U16) and Kayley Clair (U14).
These players all travel for a weekly practice in Campbell River and Courtenay, which includes games on Saturday for the girls and Sunday for the boys.
League games range from Courtenay and as far away as Victoria. It takes a lot of dedication from the player and their families to commit to a 10 month season once they've made the tryouts. There are currently 10 North Island players benefiting and enjoying competitive VIPL soccer.
Marine Harvest Riptide U18 boys played their first league game last Sunday, September 11 vs Nanaimo Storm at Valleyview field in Comox. Nanaimo defeated Riptide 2-0.
The outcome of the second game of the season was much different for the Marine Harvest Riptide U18 boys. This game was played on Sept. 18 against the team of combined communities Bays/Pen/JdF at Oak Bay High Turf.
"Our first goal was scored by Cullen Buholzer off Gamble Geraghty's corner kick. Then Liam Creek scored off a nice low shot," said Coach Mike Rodgers.
The Riptide earned themselves a penalty in their 18 yard box which resulted in a goal for Bays/Pen/JdF with a 2-1 score at halftime.
Within minutes into the second half of the game, two players collided hard during a header ball, which unfortunately resulted in sending the opposing teams' player to the hospital via ambulance.
Reports and updates after the game comforted the boys knowing that he was going to be okay but was going to be taking some time to rest and heal.
"Our last goal was scored by Tyrone Wallas off a lovely run by Eli Noonan. Goaltender Gary Thiara saved a break away early in the game and stopped a pk late in the game. Jaylon Grenier was given the 'rock' as the rockhard player of the game. The team talked more this week and defended well. They also scored a few goals," said Rodgers.
Final score was 3-1 for the Marine Harvest Riptide.This upcoming weekend's game is a bye, but their next scheduled game is Sunday, Oct. 2 against Lakehill.