Mariners Welcome The Falcons

Could lightning strike three times this season? The VIU Mariners and Langara Falcons aren’t really interested in that and would rather collect win.

In the previous two games these clubs have played to a 1-1 tie and both games have unfolded in a similar way. In Week 1 the Falcons scored in the first minute only to see the Mariners score to tie it up. Then the defence and keepers took over. Two weeks later, again the Falcons scored very early in the game (7th minute), allowed the Mariners to tie it in the late stages of the half, then both teams locked down defensively.

Of the four goals scored in this series, they have been by four different scorers.

The keepers have played exceptional as well. Alex DeMille of the Mariners has six saves in the series while the Falcons’ Sydney Bell has stopped 10 shots.

The Falcons (2-2-5) are coming off a weekend split with the Douglas Royals and are two points back of Capilano for second spot in the standings. On the road they have played well with a 1-1-2 record. Overall Giulia Repole and Nicole Bell each have three goals and are two of only five goal scorers this season.

Keeper Sydney Bell has been very solid between the pipes with a goals against average of 1.01.

Rookie Head Coach Rae Pelat says, “I remember going to the island at the start of the season for our first game, I was so nervous! Now with the season over halfway done, I'm excited for the team to get another chance to go back there and hopefully get a win. Last weekend was a prime example of how we're still searching for consistency. This weekend we are looking to learn from that and have a strong performance against VIU.”

The Mariners (2-2-4) have a game in hand on the Falcons and have played very similar with multiple ties. As a matter of fact they are coming off a 3-3 tie last weekend. This game against the Falcons will be their third straight home game.

Their offence has had six different goal scorers led by Moira Brown and Shea Battie who each have three apiece. Battie’s three goals have all come in the last two games. Her sister Karen has one of the two goals scored against the Falcons this season.

Keeper Alex DeMille has played well in her rookie season and has tallied a 1.43 goals against average and two shut outs.

Head Coach Kevin Lindo believes the third time against the Falcons could be the charm, “We certainly have a plan in place of how to be successful against Langara. We have a lot of respect for how they play and have worked on how to deal with them in our preparations this week. However you never know what can happen on the day and I will be looking at how our team will adapt if things are not going to plan – ultimately that is what the best teams do.”

With just one point separating these two teams in the PACWEST standings and three games left, Saturday’s tilt will be so important shaping the playoff match ups. Kick off at VIU is set for 12:00pm.