SOCCER First place in PACWEST

With 4 games remaining in the PACWEST season, both VIU Mariners Soccer teams are in first place. 
A first place finish in league play would mean a bye to the PACWEST championship finals.

The women's team remains undefeated with 5 wins and 3 ties.
A 1-1 tie and a huge 3-0 win on Sunday vs Douglas College has VIU in the drivers seat heading into the home stretch.

A 4-2-2 record has our men's team holding onto 1st place by 2pts over Capilano.

Northfield Photography Photos

NEXT UP, home games this weekend vs Langara 
Saturday W 1pm M 3:30pm and Sunday W 12noon and M 2:30pm


Weekend RECAP
Men's Soccer

Saturday

VIU 1 Douglas 0

"I thought we had an excellent first half, we had more of the ball, lots of corners and created scoring opportunities." Comments Head Coach Larry Stefanek
Douglas defended well, blocking many shots and were resolute in their defending.
 
The Mariners continued to attack against a strong wind in a second half and were rewarded when Westlee Bischoff scored from close range in the 80th minute. 
Shun Takano and Grant Hooper set up the goal which was all the Mariners needed to claim the three points.
 
"I was happy with our performance today, we kept a clean sheet and our keeper Kevin Picard played well along with the back four. 
Although we did not score in the first half we stuck to our game plan and deservedly secured the result. 
We played some of our best possession soccer of the season which was great to see." Remarks Larry

Sunday

Douglas 2 VIU 0

"I thought we lacked energy and struggled to find our rhythm in the first 15 minutes of the game.
We eventually created a couple of excellent chances later in the half which we needed to convert but did not." Comments Larry Stefanek

Douglas scored a controversial goal in the 42nd minute just before the break to take the 1-0 lead into the dressing room. 
The second half saw both teams create some chances on transition with the Mariners having the better opportunities as they pressed to equalize. 
Douglas secured the three points with a late goal in the 85th minute on a counter-attack as the Mariners were pressing to tie the match. 

"Conceding the first goal was very disappointing and we once again did not quite find the correct end product in the attacking third. 
I thought we had opportunities to shoot but were just too slow to execute and finish our chances. 
We will regroup for next weekend and look forward to the match up with Langara. 
We still control our own destiny and that is a good position to be in." Comments Larry