The L.V. Rogers Bombers senior boys’ soccer team has again secured its spot at provincials.

The team had its final qualifying win against Cranbrook’s Mount Baker Secondary School 4-1 on Oct. 30 at Lakeside Park.

Despite the win, LVR coach Keith Williams said the team wasn’t playing their best.

It took some time for the guys to get into the flow of the game. Before the first goal, the ball ping-ponged back and forth across the field with few shots at net.

Finally, the Bombers’ Shaun O’Connor got the first goal, after receiving the ball from Byran Rokeby-Thomas.

“Everybody seemed to settle down after that,” said Williams. “They started playing more like a team.”

O’Connor was also in the right place to get the second goal.

A long shot on net was made by Erik Norberg, which the keeper stopped, but he mishandled the ball, and O’Connor was right there able get the ball on the rebound and knock it in.

The first half ended with the Bombers two points ahead.

They kept the pressure on as they entered the second half of the game. Jules Chopin got the third goal for the Bombers off a cross, knocking it in with a semi-volly.

“At that point, I could just see it on their faces that everybody relaxed and we were OK,” said Williams.

The Bombers’ final goal of the game was made by Byran Rokeby-Thomas (who was scouted by the Whitecaps).

It looked like it was going to be a shutout for the team, but close to the end of the game the Mt. Baker team made their only goal of the of the game.

Just a few minutes before their goal, Bombers team captain Dylan Zaitsoff had to leave the field due to injury. His shoulder was dislocated after he fell and was stepped on by another player.

Keith said he expects Zaitsoff will be healed in time for provincials, which take place in Burnaby November 26, 27 and 28.

This is the Bombers 14th straight year representing the Southern Interior at provincials.