The Mid-Isle Highlanders had a victorious finish to their season after beating Victoria United 4-0 on Saturday, July 16.
The Highlanders finished their first season as a team in 6th position in the Pacific Coast Soccer League’s premier men’s division.
The team played a total of 12 games and traveled to Victoria for their final game at Royal Athletic Park.
“We’ve had a tough season. We’ve had a ton of injuries so it was a great way to end our last game,” said player-coach James Merriman.
“The whole game we played really well and we were definitely the better team both halves.”
Playing on the turf at Forrest Field has been an asset to the team during the season, picking up the majority of their points in front of their home field audience.
“It’s been a nice atmosphere to come and train and play.” Merriman said. “The crowds were really good and it definitely helped us when we were here.”
The next season will ramp up again next spring around April. Until then, many of the Mid-Isle Highlanders, who come from as far as Campbell River to play, will keep up their skills playing for Vancouver Island University, Merriman said.
The time off will also allow the Highlanders to re-group and spend less time on the administration that comes along with forming a new team.
“It will be nice to have all that experience and have that done,” Merriman said.
“For us, we’d love to continue to build and grow it and get support from Ladysmith and Nanaimo so when next season rolls around we can focus on players and team development. That will be something I’m really looking forward to.”
For more information visit http://midislefc.com/