Mariners defeat Falcons but Drop First of the Season to the Blues

VANCOUVER / NORTH VANCOUVER - The PACWEST conference-leading Mariners picked up three of a possible six points during a weekend road trip versus the Langara Falcons and Capilano Blues.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24: VIU 1 - Langara 0
Burnaby Lakes
BOX SCORE

The Mariners took care of business, pressuring the Falcons all game long and using a lone goal to defeat Langara 1-0.

In a similar manner to the last matchup between these two teams, VIU held Langara from making any sustained pressure on the VIU goal. Langara only attempted one shot during game -- which didn't hit the target -- and Kaiden Thorpe recorded her second shutout win of the season, both against Langara.

The Mariners launched 17 shots towards the Falcons goal, with 12 hitting the net. The only one to get past the Langara keeper was Shea Battie's sixth goal of the season, as she was left wide open to the left of the net to head in a perfect cross from Jade Dillabough. 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25: Capilano 2 - VIU 1
Mulgrave School
BOX SCORE

An 84th-minute Blues goal from Maya Smith--five minutes after VIU had tied the score--set the stage for a Capilano victory and VIU's first loss of the 2022 PACWEST regular season.

The Blues scored the only goal of the first half, as Jacqueline Reinhard scored in the 20th minute. VIU's Kate Reynolds tied the game in the 78th minute after a clever no-look back pass from Shea Battie went to an unmarked Reynolds to the left of the Capilano net. Reynolds's shot overpowered the 'keeper to temporarily tie the game.

The Mariners had the balance of offensive possessions in the game, outshooting Capilano 15-7 (11-5 on target) and counting five corner kicks to two, but the Blues defence held firm. VIU goalkeeper Melanie Osborne saved three of five shots in the loss.

At the halfway point of the season, the Mariners are in top spot in the conference with 13 points from 6 games, while Douglas and Capilano are tied with 10 points each. Langara has one point from an early season tie.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

With four shots on goal--including a game-high three in the Capilano game--first-year student-athlete Hannah Rose (King, ON) was named VIU women's soccer Athlete of the Week. Head Coach Bobbie Taylor noted that Rose "showed great composure and field awareness in both games" while completing a high pass percentage and winning many tackles in the midfield. 

UP NEXT

The Mariners complete the road portion of their 2022 schedule with games against the Douglas Royals and the final matchup of the season with Capilano.

Saturday, October 1 - VIU (4-1-1) at Douglas (3-2-1)
Coquitlam Towncentre - 1 p.m.

Sunday, October 2 - VIU at Capilano (3-2-1)
Mulgrave School - 1:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact Matt Carter, VIU Mariners Communications & Sports Information Coordinator.