A Heavyweight Tilt

The PACWEST men’s soccer season enters Week 2 with all five teams in action.

Saturday has a pair of very important match-ups, but the game most are looking forward to is on Sunday when the veteran laced VIU Mariners visit the two-time defending champion Capilano Blues.

Last weekend the Blues only played one game and beat the Langara Falcons 4-1 behind a hat trick from Keith Jackson. Goaltender Hudson Nelles saw four shots last weekend and wasn’t really tested…that will no doubt change this weekend.

The Mariners played a pair of games last weekend and after crushing the Falcons 7-0, they edged past the Douglas Royals 2-1. Both Jamie Taylor and Jordan DeGraaf scored twice for the Mariners and goalie David Turkstra had to be good against the Royals after saving just one shot the day before. He made five saves in the win over the Royals.

“We are looking forward to playing the Capilano Blues,” says Mariners head coach Bill Merriman. The Blues were the team to beat last year and this game will help us as a team know what area's we need to work on to be competitive at the Nationals this November.”

Last season the Blues outscored the Mariners 8-2 in three meetings. Edris Najm led the charge scoring three goals while Jackson had a pair. Billy Bagiopoulos responded for the Mariners.

Obviously a number of things could happen on Saturday as the Blues face Royals and the Mariners visit the Quest Kermodes, but the heavyweight tilt on Sunday has a number of people excited.

Kick-off between the Blues and Mariners is set for 2:30pm at Lillooet Park.