Depth the key to Roadrunners’ run to the top
After the school achieved the rare treble — Colonist Cup, Island and B.C. titles — in senior boys’ play, the Reynolds Roadrunners senior girls are on the hunt for their own soccer successes.
Minus talented attacking midfielder Aislinn Shinomura, who is recovering from a knee injury and was named this week as one of eight UVic Vikes recruits for the upcoming Canada West season, the Roadrunners remain perfect in Lower Island league play.
The latest was a 2-1 victory Tuesday afternoon over the Stelly’s Stingers at Centennial field.
Cecelia Way, a strong Grade 10 striker, scored the opening goal and Annie Kind gave the Roadrunners a 2-0 lead at the half before Jocelyn Mackey replied for Stelly’s in the second half.
Reynolds is 4-0 in league play and handed the Stingers (3-1-1) their first loss. The Roadrunners now face a stubborn Oak Bay Breakers team (also 4-0) on Thursday to round out the regular-season schedule before teams break into Ryan Cup play next week.
“The season is so quick. The girls have played well, but we know Thursday will be real tough,” said Roadrunners coach J.J. Atterbury. “Oak Bay is a really strong team this year, so it should be a good battle. And Stelly’s gave us a good battle today. They’re a good team as well.
“We’re dealing with it one day at a time, though. We dealt with a tough one [Tuesday] and we have the tough one on Thursday. We want to finish as high up as we can.”
And they’re doing it without Shinomura, who injured herself a year ago at the 2016 Nike Spring Classic at UVic, and had surgery in the fall.
“It speaks to the depth we have on the team this year because we have had some unfortunate injuries, but others have stepped up,” said Atterbury. “Our leadership has been great with a strong core of Grade 12s and some strong Grade 11s.
“She’ll be fine for next year,” he said of Shinomura. “She’s a very good, technical player. Obviously we miss her, but I’m looking forward to seeing her with UVic next year.”
As is Vikes head coach Tracy David, who also adds Avneet Rai, Brea Christie, Dari Cote, Eyla Payne, Megan Reist-Millward, Savanaah Grosse and Trinity Kettyls as future Vikes.
“We are delighted with the technical qualities and the character strengths that these players will bring,” said David. “These players have gained tremendous experiences playing with their respective club programs and we are excited to have the opportunity to work with them.”
Shinomura was a member of Team B.C. in 2014 and ’15, helping her team to the Provincial Premier Cup in 2014 and a gold medal at the 2015 Western Canada Games. She is also a member of the Vancouver Island Wave club team, along with several other of the Vikes recruits.
“It’s a great university, everyone is very welcoming and I am glad I am able to stay and do what I love close to home,” said Shinomura. “I am incredibly excited to playing as a Vike. I am ready to get back to the pitch after my ACL surgery and do what I’m good at.”