The Sooke Pumas are prowling at the top of the Lower Island Womens Soccer Association standings and there is a definite Celtic connection influencing their success to date.

The squad which will likely earn promotion to the first division next season is guided this year by Sooke Celtic’s Josh Jenkins.

Jenkins has a fair bit of coaching experience under his belt and he is most keen on the effort shown by his charges.

The team has scored about twice as many goals as its allowed, employing a robust style reminiscent of its male counterpart in the VISL’s div-1.

Jenkins says his team employs a fairly unique physical brand of soccer that has been effective at putting the competition off it’s game. That, combined with solid skills and dedicated teamwork is the recipe that has told the tale to this point in the season.

The team’s most recent game... at home versus Bays U on November 26, was an impressive 4-0 win.

Credit for the team’s first place ranking is distributed across his roster by Jenkins, notably to sweeper Jen Kranjc – a strong ingredient in the impressive defensive stats along with keeper Cass Graber, the keeper who coach Jenkins describes as the best in the division.

As of this past weekend the Pumas had a record of 7-2-2, and had a Saturday home game cancelled due to wet weather. They have a road game set for this coming Sunday in Cowichan Valley, and a Wednesday night make-up game if conditions permit.

LIWSA Div-1 standings

Pumas - 23

Castaways - 22

Lakehill - 22

Prospect Lake - 19

Gordon Head - 19

Bays U. - 16

Cowichan - 7

Juan de Fuca - 6

Roster

Cass Graber – goalkeeper

Lindsey Jenkins – forward/defence

Angela Petrie – midfield

Krystal Burows – midfield

Melissa Timewell – defence

Lindsey Gayler – midfield

Shannon Garrioch – forward

Delilah Richelle – midfield

Leah Cunningham – midfield

Brogan Boyer – forward

Kelly Young – midfield

Kaylee Percival – defense

Nickole Burrows – midfield

Michelle Williams – midfield/goalkeeper

Tracy Forsberg – midfield

Jen Krajnc – defense

Krissy Koller – defense

Sydney Porter – midfield

Brittany McMahon

Jessica Hassett