Regular Season Closes

The PACWEST regular soccer season closed today as the Capilano Blues paid a visit to the VIU Mariners.

On the women’s side the game had no significant impact on the standings. It was exciting however as six goals were scored as they played to a 3-3 tie extending the Mariners unbeaten streak to six.

Sunday afternoon it was the Blues who opened the scoring when Jessica Thaler scored in the 13th minute. They would extend their lead in the 27th minute when Jessica Price found the back of the net.

The Mariners would finally respond in the second half when Karen Battie scored her first of the season in the 52nd minute.

Just three minutes later however the Blues re-established their two goal lead when Claire Ye scored in the 55th minute. The Mariners quickly had an answer in the 62nd minute when Battie got her second of the contest cutting the Blues lead to one as the two teams went back and forth.

With time ticking away in extra time the Mariners tied it when Olivia Mazurenko blasted a ball past keeper Darian Roussy. Despite allowing the tying goal Roussy was outstanding making seven saves as the Mariners peppered the Blues defence.

The Mariners finish on top of the PACWEST standings and have a bye right into the PACWEST gold medal game on Saturday. The Blues will be ranked third, and will face the Douglas Royals in a semi-final on Friday afternoon at Burnaby Lakes Complex.

In the men’s game the Blues had their sights set on finishing first and a bye to the PACWEST championship game on Saturday. A win would secure that. The Mariners on the other hand were trying to play spoiler.

The Blues got on the board early as the PACWEST leading scorer Keith Jackson tallied in the first minute. It was his 12th of the season and would stand-up as the game winner.

In the 29th minute Jackson struck again for his 13th of the campaign and would put the game out of reach as the Blues won 2-0.

Blues’ keeper Hudson Nelles records his second shutout in as many days and sixth of the season. Four of his six came at the hands of the Mariners.
With the win the Blues clinch first place in the PACWEST and will play for gold on Saturday afternoon. Their victory also earns them a spot at the CCAA national championship tournament as the PACWEST has two berths at the big dance. They will face the winner of the Douglas Royals – Langara Falcons semi-final on Friday.

The Mariners season comes to a close with the loss on Sunday.