The top players in the Lower Island Women’s Soccer Association demonstrated their considerable skills on the turf at Westhills Stadium on Sunday, as the league held its annual premier and Division 1 all-star game.
The evenly matched teams each controlled their share of the play, but it was Team Red that came out on top 2-1.
Victoria Athletics star Kate Baker, later chosen the game’s most valuable player for her team, scored the winning goal in the 51st minute. She finished off an early second-half play down the right sideline with a hard shot to the far corner.
The tally came about four minutes after Team Blue got on the board. Ronna Ulrich of Vic West FC pounded home a rebound into a gaping net, with Red keeper Brittany Maurier-Bauman down following her diving save of the initial shot.
Both teams enjoyed sustained pressure for stretches later in the half. Blue goalkeeper Samantha Schroeder posted perhaps the save of the day with about seven minutes left, stopping Baker on a shot drilled to the bottom left corner and keeping her team within striking distance.
Blue managed a couple of scoring chances in the dying minutes, putting one shot directly at (Red keeper) and sending another just over the crossbar.
Shadow Alfred of the Lakers gave Red the early lead with a goal midway through the first half.
Alexis McKinty of Castaways was named MVP for Team Blue.
Juan de Fuca was represented by Charmaine Chung and Elana Pradine on Team Red and Jazlin Mayhue on Team Blue.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com