A 3 Point Weekend + Meet Sophia Montpetit

The stadium atmosphere, the goals, the connections made between the players and the kids after the games during our card and jersey signing sessions — this weekend was one to remember.

Player card and gear signing after the men's game. Note the bag of player cards - someone's been collecting!

The ladies' game was a goal-scoring fest — 9 goals were scored collectively. Erin Jensen, Taylor Kinley, and Jade Dillabough were our goalscorers, and Jensen was selected for this week's Team of the Week by the BCPL.

"We are deep into the season but every game is still an opportunity to find out what fits. We all play for different teams throughout the year so each BCPL game is a good experience for people to be in different positions and find what combo works and what doesn't work," women's midfielder Alex Paul told us after the game.

"We're slowly building team chemistry for sure," Makayla Peluso added. "We're getting some goals in and I think that's what counts. As the season goes on, hopefully we get some wins, but I think we just need to keep a positive attitude and keep our heads in the game."

Alex Paul in action during this weekend's game against Altitude FC.

This past Saturday was the last game day for most of the club's youth players, and to celebrate, we hosted a pizza party during both the men's and women's BCPL games for all kids in attendance. "I love the cheering fans in the background and all the little ball girls — they did an awesome job," Peluso said. "The city of Nanaimo is full of soccer fans and it's amazing when they all come out and watch," added men's player Suka Behery, who scored and assisted a goal this weekend.

Left to right: Captain Mary Nicholls walking out with one of NUFC's Central Island Soccer League girls, our walk-out crew running off the field.

The lads secured three points yesterday, adding another game to their home winning streak. They won 2-0 against Altitude. "We tried as much as we could to hit in transition, and I think we did well," Suka noted. "Our defenders played unbelievably today. They deserve all the flowers. The clean sheet against a team like Altitude — who are battling for second and third place — they're probably very frustrated with the loss because it prevents them from competing for the league."

Left to right: Felipe Morales Moya (goal scorer), Suka Behery (goal scorer), Declan Brown

MEET SOPHIA MONTPETIT

Last year, Sophia Montpetit was our youngest ever player to be called up to play for our BCPL team, and last week, she was officially added to this year's roster. The Grade 11 NDSS student started playing for Nanaimo United in kindergarten, back when the club was called Harbour City. Sophia played her way up through our youth recreational and REP teams, and after U13, went on to play in the BCSPL for Vancouver Island Wave down in Victoria.

I am very excited and grateful to be officially signed with NUFC. The team is amazing and works hard in training, pushing me to be better, especially as a youth player. My favourite moment so far with the team was playing against Burnaby FC — we almost came back from a 3-0 deficit and I assisted a goal.

Sophia Montpetit warming up for her game against Burnaby FC.

NEXT UP

The squads are back at home on June 21 and will be going up against the TSS Rovers!

Buy tickets here.

Next up: our teams are off to the mainland on Saturday June 6 to play against Unity FC.

United!