Blues Win Wild Semi-Final

Capilano Blues 2
Douglas Royals 1

What a way to kickoff the PACWEST soccer championship tournament as the Douglas Royals and Capilano Blues needed overtime and then penalty kicks to decide this one on the women’s side of the bracket.

The Royals struck first in this semi-final. In the 20th minute, PACWEST All-Star Pak Tung Tsang connected with fellow All-Star Isabelle Dobbin who found herself 1-on-1 with the Blues keeper Amaya Salvino and capitalized with her right foot.

The Blues had an opportunity to tie things up at the 25th minute, as Kelly Miada sent a ball from beyond the 18-box that Douglas keeper Vanessa Chung was able to collect before the Blues could follow up.

Shortly after, the Royals almost doubled their lead as Anna Klaver-Valdez was sprung free in another 1-on-1 situation with Salvino, who made the stop to keep the game 1-0 going into half time.

It wasn’t long after the break that the Royals had yet another opportunity to extend their lead. In the 60th minute, Dobbin was in alone with Salvino and decided to go high on the Blues keeper, but Salvino would make a tremendous stop, keeping it at a one-goal game.

That stop would prove to be one of the biggest of the semi. In the 89th minute, the Blues would finally tie it after some confusion on a throw-in. All-Star Maya Smith tossed the ball into Sophie Pather just outside the 18-yard box for a right footed strike aimed towards the top corner. Chung managed to tip the ball, but not enough from going in.

Both keepers were busy in extra-time, extending the game into penalty kicks where they remained hot and didn’t allow any easy PK goals.

The game was still undecided heading into each team’s fifth shooter.  The Royals went first, and Alyssa Green was stoned by Salvino setting up an opportunity for the Blues to win it.  Defender Ella Jennings calmly stepped up and made no mistake getting her shot past Chung into the back of the net for the winner.

The Blues win in PK’s (3-2) and advance to take on the VIU Mariners for the PACWEST Gold Medal Match on Sunday at 12:00PM!  Both schools have now officially qualified for the CCAA national championship as well.  The Blues are hosting the event, so the Mariners are in regardless of what happens on Sunday.

PK results (Douglas 2 Capilano 3):

Douglas #1 - Mia Jenkinson – GOAL
Capilano #1 - Amaya Salvino – GOAL

Douglas #2-  Katie Buckle – no goal
Capilano #2 - Michaela Salvino – no goal

Douglas #3 - Pak Tung Tsang – no goal
Capilano #3 - Mya Fraser -  GOAL

Douglas #4 - Jessica Lau – GOAL
Capilano #4 - Erika Di Lorenzo – no goal

Douglas #5 - Alyssa Green – no goal
Capilano #5 - Ella Jennings - GOAL

Players of the Match

Douglas College: #10 Isabelle Dobbin

Capilano Blues: #22 Sophie Pather