Chilliwack’s U-16 soccer Strikers hosted Royal City United at Townsend Park on Sunday, blanking the visitors 2-0.
Through 40 minutes, most of the action was in the midfield. Chilliwack broke through the Royal City D a handful of times with glorious opportunities for forwards Emily Finley, Makayla Pfeifer and Haley Mainse.
But none of their shots hit the target and the first half ended scoreless.
Chilliwack stepped on the gas in the second half, using short passes and hard checking to maintain possession.
Nevertheless, it took until the 38 minute mark for the Strikers to finally score.
Taylor Allen was fouled outside the 18 yard box, giving the locals a direct free kick. Kristy Ricard made no mistake, picking a spot dead center, just under the crossbar.
The Royal City keeper only got fingertips on it as it sailed over her head.
With less than a minute remaining in the game, Chilliwack midfielder Emma Haagensen sent a perfect pass to Kiana Thiessen at the top of the 18.
Thiessen chipped her shot past the sprawling netminder, catching the bottom corner to seal the victory.
Chilliwack finds themselves tied for first in the early-season standings, hitting the road this weekend for a pair of games.