Starting on the Wrong Foot

NORTH VANCOUVER & COQUITLAM, BC - The defending PACWEST champion VIU Mariners know they have plenty of work to do to get back to the provincial playoffs. Two conference foes showed that it won't be easy as the Capilano Blues and Douglas Royals shut out the Mariners in back-to-back games to open VIU's 2023 regular season.

Saturday, September 9
Capilano 4 - VIU 0
Lillooet Field

No one would be surprised if the Blues were still feeling the sting from a tough home loss in last season's PACWEST conference semifinal. They demonstrated that they meant business in their first game of the season, a 4-0 victory over the travelling Mariners.

In spite of the Mariners holding much of the posession on the day, the Blues were opportunistic with their offensive opportunities and held the fort after taking an early two-goal lead. A tenth-minute goal followed by a penalty kick midway through the half took Capilano to a 2-0 advantage at the break.

For the Mariners, Jordan King was active in putting shots on target while Saki Meshida narrowly missed the far corner of the net with a long drive.

VIU's Ella Gignac (#12) chases down the ball versus Capilano. Photo: Paul Yates

In the second half, VIU goalkeeper Kaiden Thorpe made an outstanding save on a Capilano breakway in the 67th minute but the Blues capitalized on a set-piece moments later to increase the advantage to 3-0. With VIU continuing to press, Capilano scored an 85th-minute short-side marker on the counter-attack to complete the scoring. 

Thorpe takes the loss in net for VIU.

Sunday, September 10
Douglas 1 - VIU 0
Cunnings Field

A 60th-minute Douglas goal was the difference as the host Royals held VIU to a second shutout defeat.

VIU's best chance of the half came early: a long shot from well outside the 18-yard box from Jade Dillabough in the 4th minute that nailed the crossbar.

Teams were even in possession with plenty of turnovers in the midfield.

Fifth-year Mariners keeper Melanie Osborne kept the score at 0-0 at the half thanks in part to two huge saves: one on a 24th-minute Douglas breakaway and another on a high shot in the 40th minute that she was just able to tip over the bar.

The Royals keeper returned the favour early in the second half with an incredible diving save that deflected a VIU rocket onto the crossbar and out of danger.

Douglas took the lead for good in the 60th minute after a long-ball from the Royals goalkeeper was headed onto the feet of forward Christine Singh. Singh outraced the VIU defence and fired a low shot into the left corner of the VIU net.

An 82nd-minute free kick from just outside the 18-yard box was the best chance VIU had in remainder of the second half, but it was shot over the bar. A header off a corner kick in added time was also stopped at the goal line by a diving Royals goalkeeper.

Osborne takes the loss for VIU.

Up Next

The Mariners (0-2) return to Nanaimo for a home-opening weekend versus the Langara Falcons (0-1-1) on Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17. Both games take place at Q'unq'inuqwstuxw Stadium at Nanaimo District Secondary School with kickoff at 2:45 p.m.

Saturday's game doubles as a Mariners Soccer Alumni celebration. Members of the 1993 Malaspina Mariners women's soccer national championship team will be recognized prior to the game. The 1983 men's soccer national champions will be recognized prior to the men's game at 5:15 p.m.

All Mariners soccer alumni are invited to register for an alumni social at the VIUSU Pub on Friday, September 15 as well as a special alumni seating section that includes light snacks and beverages for Saturday's game.

For more information, please contact Matt Carter, VIU Athletics Communications and Sports Information Coordinator.