With scoring chances as scarce as clouds on a brilliant, sunny afternoon, Oak Bay and Stelly鈥檚 settled on a 0-0 draw in Lower Island senior girls鈥� soccer play Thursday at Braefoot Park.
It was a result both coaches were satisfied with as the regular season comes to a close and Ryan Cup playoff action is set to commence next week in Victoria.
Territorially, Oak Bay owned much of the possession, particularly in the second half.
鈥淭he second half we raised our level a bit, but Stelly鈥檚 is very good, so it was about keeping our shape and being smart,鈥� said Oak Bay coach Brent Garroway. 鈥淔or us, a tie or win kind of gave us the same results so we were trying to be safe at the back.鈥�
The same held true for the Stingers, who began the day with 10 points in the triple-A standings, a point behind Oak Bay and Belmont. Belmont defeated Mount Douglas 6-0 on Thursday to claim top spot, ahead of Oak Bay, with the Stingers placing third ahead of Reynolds.
鈥淪econd is a good spot for us,鈥� said Garroway. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got a little bit to do, but we鈥檙e constantly improving throughout the year.鈥�
Megan Kivell was the most dangerous player for Oak Bay on the afternoon, with three or four strong turns in and around the Stelly鈥檚 goal area, but just couldn鈥檛 ignite that excellent scoring chance as Stingers鈥� keeper Harmony Wildman kept a clean sheet.
Stelly鈥檚 best opportunity of the second half came late in the game as Alynn Dagg curled a left-footer that Oak Bay keeper Danielle Cavelti turned away.
鈥淚 thought we had two better chances in the first half off of crosses and running attacks, but Oak Bay did an equally great job defending at the back,鈥� said Stelly鈥檚 coach Jackie Cunningham.
鈥淚 thought the first half was a little more even. The second half they definitely had possession, but overall I thought our defenders did an amazing job, kept them out of the back and we didn鈥檛 really give them anything. We鈥檒l take the point on the day.鈥�
Now, they both head on to Ryan Cup play, which Oak Bay has dominated.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been fortunate to do well, winning three of the last four,鈥� said Garroway. 鈥淲e鈥檒l try and carry on with that.鈥�
Oak Bay was led at the back by Elise Butler (who is off to UVic next year) and Katie Hanson, who have played for Garroway since Grade 9.
The Ryan Cup playoffs begin with the challenge match 鈥� Reynolds visiting St. Michaels University School 鈥� on Tuesday at 3:45 p.m., before quarter-finals begin Thursday.
The Ryan Cup final is slated for May 9 at UVic.
