'96 SELECTS, '97 VIPERS & '98 BLUES ARE VICTORY AWAY FROM CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Three South Delta youth soccer teams remain in the championship hunt as Coastal Cup playdowns have reached the semi-final stage.
The Tsawwassen based U16 Delta Selects boys squad advanced to the Coastal "A" Cup final four with a 2-0 victory over Chilliwack FC last weekend at Pebble Hill Park.
The Selects will now meet league champion Richmond United on Saturday (1 p.m.) at Hugh Boyd Park.
In Coastal "B" Cup playdowns, the Ladner Vipers exploded for three goals in extra time for a 4-1 road win over the Richmond Raiders in U15 girls action.
Olivia Priestlay had opened the scoring before the Raiders pulled even before the interval. After a scoreless second half between the two evenly matched teams, the Vipers went to work in overtime as Olivia Walley, Lesley Antic and Priestlay each found the back of the net.
Ladner will also be on the road for its semi-final encounter next Sunday against the Port Coquitlam Storm.
In U14 girls action, the Tsawwassen '98 Blues continued their outstanding season with a 4-2 victory over Coquitlam Metro Ford Inferno at Winskill Park on Sunday night.
The Blues, who opened cup play with a 1-0 win over Semiahmoo, will now travel up the Sunshine Coast on Sunday to face the Powell River Cobras.
The Coastal Cup finals will take place May 5-6 in Richmond. Semi-final wins by all three teams this weekend will also secure berths into the Provincial Cup championships in July.
Now in its 59th year, qualifying for the Coastal Cup has become the goal of 1,500 youth soccer teams and 20,000 players each season.
