Two 'duzzis

NANAIMO - The VIU Mariners took down the Langara Falcons and banked six points in the first weekend of women's soccer action in the 2024 PACWEST season. 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7: VIU 5 - Langara 1
Beban Park Turf
Box Score

Passes were crisp and VIU's depth was in full display in a 5-1 season-opening win over the visiting Langara Falcons.

Brianna Narduzzi's first of two goals on the day was the only marker in the first half. Deep in the Langara half, Asuka Okabe and Emma Riccardi pressured the Falcons defenders and won possession of the ball. Riccardi laid a perfect pass to the Narduzzi in front of goal and she spun and deposited the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.

The Mariners struck for two goals within two minutes early in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Emma Thornton carried the ball assertively down the left side before finding a wide-open Tori Hauptman on the right. Hauptman's shot narrowly missed the far post but Aynsley Norman directed the ball in off of a Langara defender. Because of the deflection, officials ruled the goal as a Langara own goal.

Two minutes later, Thornton led another promising rush and sent a pass to Saki Meshida. Meshida neatly deflected the ball to space, putting Narduzzi in cold on the goalkeeper. She one-timed the ball with her right foot to the right corner of the net, giving VIU a 3-0 lead.

Brianna Narduzzi scores her second goal of the game against Langara College. Photo: Mary Kessenich

In the 82nd minute, another excellent pass from Meshida sent first-year forward Maggie Thurbide in alone. After narrowly missing an attempt earlier in the game, Thurbide made no mistake on this play with a rocket to the top of the net and her first PACWEST goal.

The Falcons got one back in the 84th minute as Christie Wong took advantage of a slow-moving play in front of the VIU net to deflect the ball in for a goal. However, Jade Dillabough put an exclamation mark on the win with a fantastic display of footwork in added time. She dodged in between two defenders in tight before slipping the ball low past the goalkeeper and making the final score 5-1.

Kaiden Thorpe earned the win in net for VIU while Alexis Macaulay took the loss for Langara.

Panago Players of the Game

VIU - Brianna Narduzzi
Langara - Madison Pinch

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8: VIU 2 - Langara 0
Q'unq'inuqwstuxw Stadium
Box Score

The scoreline was closer between VIU and Langara but VIU's speed and control helped contain the Falcons on the way to a 2-0 victory.

Both Mariners goals were scored late in the first half on assists from Jade Dillabough. On both plays, Dillabough launched the ball in from the left wing and found unmarked Mariners attackers.

The first goal came after a VIU corner kick went long. Dillabough tracked down the ball and one-timed it over three Langara defenders and right to Courtney Ingram in front of goal. Ingram quickly settled the ball, turned, and fired a right-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net.

VIU's Courtney Ingram keeps her eye on the ball during the game against Langara College. Photo: Matt Carter

VIU's second goal was scored by Tori Hauptman, who was finally rewarded after plenty of dangerous runs down the right wing. Dillabough sent a looping cross from left to right and Hauptman one-timed the ball with her left foot back into the left side of the net.

Mckenna Brown, making her first PACWEST appearance, played the first half in net for VIU while Kaiden Thorpe played the second half. Alexis Macauley made six saves in the loss for Langara.

VIU captain Ingram noted that it was a "pretty sweet" start for the Mariners: "It's great to get six points right off the bat, and it's only up from here."

Panago Players of the Game

VIU - Courtney Ingram
Langara - Alex Paul

Up Next

The Mariners are on the road for the next two weekends, starting Saturday, September 14 at Douglas College (2-0) and Sunday, September 15 at Capilano University (0-2). Visit the PACWEST website for the season schedule and webstream links.

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