The Mid Isle FC Highlanders had a chance for a perfect ending, but they’ll nevertheless be satisfied with silver.
Nanaimo’s Pacific Coast Soccer League women’s reserve team placed second at the league championship tournament in Coquitlam July 27-28, losing 2-1 to the Penticton Pinnacles in the final.
It was the second straight PCSL silver medal for the squad.
“The girls were in the final last year and thought this possibly could be the year, but it just didn’t pan out,” said Craig Glennie, assistant coach.
Mid Isle FC reached the final on the strength of the previous day’s 2-1 victory. Caity Genereaux and Andrea Strebel scored the goals in that one and Shelby Walker was the winning goalkeeper.
“We were by far the better team against West Van and deserved to get to the final,” Glennie said.
The matchup looked favourable, as the Pinnacles were the No. 4 seed and Mid Isle was No. 2, but Glennie said the opposition was well-prepared and came out and scored the opening goal in the second minute of the game. Mairi Horth made it 1-1 after a pass from Ceilidh Glennie, but the Pinnacles went back in front 10 minutes later as they capitalized on a free kick before the Highlanders women could get organized to defend.
“The rest of the game we were pretty much pressuring them, but we just couldn’t get that second goal to tie it up,” Craig Glennie said.
Horth had one of the best chances, as she got in close at one point and was tripped in the box. She could have taken a dive and might have been awarded a penalty shot, said Glennie, but “like a true player, stayed on her feet,” and instead settled for a shot from a tough angle.
The assistant coach said the team played very well and can be proud of its performance.
“To get another silver medal, two years in a row, for our program, the girls deserve full credit,” Glennie said. “They’re a wonderful group of players and we’re very fortunate to have them all here.”
SOCCER TALK … Mid Isle FC’s men’s reserve team was in Coquitlam the same weekend for its championship tournament, but lost its semifinal game 3-2 in extra time to the Abbotsford Mariners. Jeff Travis and Andres Algarin scored for the Highlanders men.
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