CSS Sports

⚽️⚽️Okanagans Day 2⚽️⚽️
The CSS girls soccer team concluded their season in Lake Country today with a commendable 7th place finish. Being the lowest seeded team, and the only public school in their pool, it was always going to be tough for the Raiders to break into that top 5.

Our first game of the day was against Kelowna Christian School. In much better weather conditions, the girls were pinned into their half from the start by a strong Kelowna midfield and forward line. Kelowna converted a direct free kick from just outside the box to take the lead and scored another from a cross into the Raider's box. The girls didn't let their heads drop and battled well against their opponents.

In the second half, CSS conceded another. Kelowna attacked down the right and although the assistant referee indicated that the ball went out of play, the game played on and Kelowna scored from the resulting shot. A huge blow for CSS. It didn't get the girls down, it stoked a fire. Aubrey F, Presley W, Keeley Y and Bailey R gave it their all to hunt down every ball and give the KCS defenders something to worry about.

CSS were able to force the KCS goalie into multiple saves in the second half. One of the highlights of the tournament soon followed. A cross was played into the KCS box and multiple red Raider shirts were hacking to try and get to it. The ball eventually fell to grade 8 and first year soccer player Julia C at the back stick who booted it into the back of the net. More drama followed as CSS thought they had scored a second from another corner. Aubrey F took a shot and it looked as though the ball clearly crossed the line as the goalie grabbed it from behind her, but the referee said no and the game ended 3-1. Tough to take for CSS.

That result meant the girls couldn't seal a provincial berth, and so attention turned to getting a result against Osoyoos, in what would now be the teams last game of the season, and last game of their high school careers for our 7 grade 12 players.

In the early exchanges Raiders were dealt a double blow as captain and conductor Bailey R limped off injured and was out for the game. As she left the field, Osoyoos broke through the middle and fired a nice shot beyond Shanti P in goal. The two teams were evenly balanced and physical and emotional fatigue started to take over both teams. Half time, Raiders were down 0-1.

Second half, with the wind behind them, CSS looked lively. Not much was getting through Kyrie B at the back, and going forward Raiders looked dangerous. Their moment came when an Osoyoos player handled the ball in the box and left the referee with no choice but to award a penalty. Cadence C stepped up to the plate and found the corner of the net, her first ever goal in her last ever CSS game. An emotional moment for her and her teammates. Raiders were unlucky not to capitalize on a few late chances, and after the game ended 1-1, we headed to overtime. No goals were scored, so CSS headed to another shootout, a familiar story for the girls this season.

It would be fair to say Raiders were confident heading into the shootout after having won 4 out of 5 already this season. However, with some of their regular shooters unavailable, the girls needed to adapt. One thing that was certain, was that super stopper Shanti P would be between the sticks. CSS chose to shoot first, and Cadence C stepped up again to fire into the top corner. Osoyoos sent up their best player, and Shanti stood tall to keep her out. Next up was Keeley Y, and her penalty was too hot to handle as it flew past the goalies hand. Osoyoos skied their second penalty, leaving Presley W with a chance to put CSS 3 up. She did it clinically, meaning Osoyoos had to score, or the tie would be over after only 3 shots each. A tense moment, and as the ball left the Osoyoos strikers foot, Shanti's feet were moving quickly and she was able to stretch and divert the ball away from goal. Game over, season over and a fitting way for the team to finish. Cue the screams of joy and tears of sadness as the curtain closed for the girls, especially Audrina C, Cadence C, Keeley Y, Teigan D-R, Ava S, Shanti P and Juliette J. A satisfying ending for all involved.

Thank you for your support this season. Thank you to our coaches and to our mom's who have helped behind the scenes on all of our adventures!

Let's go Raiders! 📣

🏆FINALS!!🏆

📣📣Come on down and cheer on the CSS girls as they play for 1st in their home tournament at 1:30pm today. Small field, big atmosphere!!!📣📣

CSS beat league opponents KSA in a shootout this morning after drawing 0-0 in normal time.

Vanderhoof await in the final.

Let's go Raiders!!

⚽️⚽️ RAIDER'S CUP ⚽️⚽️
Come and see some soccer in the sun today as the CSS girls host their annual tournament.
Today's schedule:
11am vs Vanderhoof
2pm vs Prince George
4:10pm vs Burns Lake

Come on down and support the girls!

CSS girls soccer hosted KSA tonight in a tight encounter. Raiders looked hungry as they pressed and boxed in the visitors for most of the first half. KSA took the lead against the run of play when their first set piece was delivered into the box and tapped beyond the solid Courtney P in goal. Aubrey F and Presley W were causing problems for the KSA defense with their intensity, but Raiders weren't able to capitalize on that pressure.
In the second half, CSS kept their defensive structure and limited KSA again to very few chances. Audrina C and Cadence C kept their best players at bay, and the relentless Bailey R covered every blade of grass to drive her team forward. Raiders got their just rewards when they hit KSA on the counter attack. KSA's corner was well defended which then set CSS away on the break. Simone C found herself through on goal, with 2 blue shirts chasing her down and the KSA goalie charging towards her. Simone calmly rounded the goalie and with a composed finish, sent the ball into the back of the net.
Unfortunately, CSS were dealt a hammer blow in the later stages of the game, as a ball into the box somehow found the toe of the KSA striker and the ball trickled into the corner of the net. A tough way to end the game, but another resilient performance from the girls.
Lots more soccer to come this week as CSS head to Kamloops on Thursday, before hosting the annual Raiders Cup all day Friday and Saturday. Stay tuned for a schedule.
Let's go Raiders!

The CSS girls soccer team hosted for the first time last night as St. Ann's visited from Kamloops. A game where St. Ann's dominated the ball and played some nice soccer, CSS put in a performance to be proud of.
St. Ann's took the lead and looked to be in cruise control until the Raiders lived up to their name and snatched a nice counter attacking goal which was put away by Teigan D-R for her first ever goal!

Raiders defended resolutely and looked dangerous once they had the ball going forward , but St. Ann's took hold of the game again, and scoring some screamers, went into half time leading 4-1.

Second half was a similar tale, but Raiders stood tall against some strong individual performances. CSS had to shuffle their core as Grade 12 Shanti P was put in net (and didn't look out of place) and fellow Grade 12 captain Keeley Y had to leave the field after a heavy hit to the head. The girls adapted well, limiting St. Ann's to only 2 second half goals, and nicking another one of their own with the last kick of the game. Alexis L chased down the St. Ann's defense, causing confusion and allowing Aubrey F to convert a well deserved goal after a hard working performance.

Lots of positives for the girls to take into their upcoming fixtures over the next few weeks.

Let's go Raiders. ⚽️