LVR Bombers need shootout to capture BC High School AA Girl’s Soccer Championship
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Maya Ida scored the winning goal in shootout to spark the L.V. Rogers Bombers to a 2-1 victory over St. Thomas Moore of Vancouver in the final of the 2016 BC High School AA Girl’s Soccer Championships Friday in Campbell River.
Ida was the seventh shooter in the thrilling tie-breaker that decided the AA Girl’s Soccer title, the first for LVR since the 1997 and 1998 when the Bombers won back to back provincial titles under the guidance of coach Dave Simpson.
“Unbelievable,” said Bomber captain Kyra Burkart when asked following the game about winning the provincial championship.
“We talked about winning provincials all season, and as well as we were doing in our tournaments (winning the provincial title) didn’t kick in that it was a reality until I was running in to hug (keeper) Hannah (Quinn) after she saved the last shot,” Burkart added.
“This team is the most wonderful group of individuals I’ve ever played with, and I could not be happier or more proud.”
This contest was a lot tougher, and closer than the semi final contest won 6-1 over Okanagan Mission by LVR.
However, it was once again striker Naomi Perkins leading the Bombers offence, scoring the only goal of the game for the Kootenay Reps.
Perkins, finishing the tournament as the winner of the Golden Boot with ten goals, converted the lone goal of the game off a corner kick from Laurel Halleran.
Perkins, who also won LVR’s Commissioners Award as the team’s top player, finished the game with a “golf-ball-sizes” goose egg on her head after a collision during the game.
The teams, tied at the half, played the entire second half and 15 minutes of overtime scoreless.
In shootout both teams converted their opportunities before Ida stepped up to the penalty spot.
Calmly placing her shot into the net, the score was advantage LVR.
Bomber keeper Hanna Quinn then sent the Kootenay Reps into the winner’s circle, saving the next St. Thomas Moore shooter.
The shootout was the second time in as many games St Thomas Moore was involved in a tie-breaker.
St Thomas Moore edged out St. Michael’s University in shootout after the teams played through a scoreless game.
The Championship win for LVR completes a Cinderella spring for the Heritage City school.
Last week Bombers boys captured the 2016 BC High School Boy’s AA Tier II Rugby Championship with a thrilling 13-12 victory over Fraser Valley power Robert Bateman Timberwolves Saturday at Rotary Park in Abbotsford.
