The L.V. Rogers Bombers senior girls soccer team continues to be perfect.
The Bombers scored two decisive victories at the Kootenay playdowns in Creston this past Monday and Tuesday and earned the Kootenay’s only berth at the BC High School Girls AA soccer championships early next month in Campbell River. The wins also moved the team’s record to 10-0 on the season.
In its opening match, the girls sent a clear message to rival J.L. Crowe from Trail that they are the team to beat in the West Kootenay. LVR scored early and often and went on to an 8-0 victory. Senior Naomi Perkins continued to work her scoring magic as she picked up six goals. Emily Taylor and Allie Zondervan added singles in the decisive victory.
“We dominated from the opening whistle,” said coach Chuck Bennett. “This is really a great group of players. We owned the midfield and they continued to find Naomi in the danger spots. Trail just didn’t have an answer defensively.”
In the Kootenay final on Tuesday, LVR met David Thompson Secondary from Invermere and although the game was closer, the outcome was never in doubt. LVR took an early 3-0 lead and held that to the half. The Invermere keeper was spectacular, making a number of key saves, including a great save on a penalty shot by Perkins. The second half was a bit closer, but LVR scored twice more to get the 5-0 win. Perkins scored four of the team's five goals, while Taylor Zimmer scored a single.
“It could have been a lot more,” said Bennett, adding that while Perkins deserves full credit for her game, it was also a dominating defensive effort. “Our backline of Merissa Dawson, Maya Ida, Laurel Halleran, Kyra Burkart and Julia Burkart were unbeatable."
The next action of the girls will be at the provincials from June 2 to 5.