Wednesday Soccer Wrap Up

WOMEN

Capilano Blues 3
VIU Mariners 2

It was a thrilling first half on Wednesday afternoon that ultimately led to the Capilano Blues pulling into a first place tie with the Douglas Royals atop the PACWEST standings.

The Wednesday afternoon matchup was a rescheduled game from earlier this season that was postponed due to bad field conditions following a major rain storm. Speaking of storms, the Mariners exploded out of the gate scoring the opening goal just five minutes into the contest as Courtney Ingram scored giving the home side an early lead. They would continue to pour it on and then in the 17th minute Ladysmith native Olivia Mazurenko tallied her first of the season giving the Mariners a two-goal lead, but that was short lived.

Just a minute later, the Blues cut the lead in half when Taylor Colby scored her third of the season. Then in the 23rd minute, just five minutes later, Mya Fraser tied the game with her second of the campaign which energized the Blues. Her club would continue to press and in the 33rd minute Aynsley Hurtado gave the Blues their first lead of the game with her second of the year, a goal that would stand-up as the game winner.

All that in the first half.

In the second frame both teams had their chances but each keeper stood tall. Melanie Osborne made five second half saves for the Mariners, while Megan Thitchener made one for the Blues.

These two teams will face one another again on Sunday to conclude the regular season.

MEN

VIU Mariners 2
Capilano Blues 0

The Mariners recorded their first win in almost a month on Wednesday afternoon shutting out the Blues. Oddly enough the Mariners last win was also against the Blues.

They would open the scoring in the 15th minute when Matthew Coburn scored his second of the season to give the Mariners an early lead which they brought into halftime. Turns out the goal would stand-up as the game winner.

In the 52nd minute Michael Heppelle gave the Mariners a two-goal lead with his first of the campaign. The lead would prove to be too much for the visiting Blues. Keeper Ben Chamberlin made seven saves in his first clean sheet of the year.

With the win the Mariners leapfrog the Douglas Royals for first place in the standings, with a one-point lead with the two meeting on Saturday. The Blues on the other hand continue to be the team on the outside looking in at the PACWEST playoffs, four points back of the Langara Falcons for the final spot. They will face the Falcons on Saturday.