-submitted by Vince Greco
What an exciting weekend; not sure if anybody could have called all the scores in advance.
Some big scores, some upsets, and only 1 undefeated team left in Division 1.
Some highlights in advance of seeing the scores and how it affects the standings;
-Lakehill gets 1st win as they defeat the young VI Wave team.
-Gorge defeats Vic West to take over sole possession of 1st place and remain the only undefeated team in division.
-Comox comes down Island and shocks defending division champs Cowichan for 3 huge points.
-The New Kids on the block are hanging tough as Westcastle dismantle Bays.
-Nanaimo comes down to Victoria and thumps Vantreights
| VI Wave – (D1) | 0 | |
| Lakehill FC – (D1) | 1 |
Lakehill FC – (D1)
Goals: Ryan Andre
Shutouts: Gabe Luger
*—————————————
| Vic West FC – (D1) | 1 | |
| Gorge FC – (D1) | 2 |
Vic West FC – (D1)
Goals: Bryan Taylor
Gorge FC – (D1)
Goals: Kevin Jones, Jon Shah
*—————————————-
| Comox Valley United – (D1) | 3 | |
| Cowichan FC – (D1) | 1 |
Comox Valley United – (D1)
Goals: Peter McWilliams (2), Brandon Bergh
Cowichan FC – (D1)
Goals: Patrick Nelson
*—————————————
| Bays United Liquor Plus – (D1) | 0 | |
| Westcastle United – (D1) | 5 |
Westcastle United – (D1)
Goals: Arbnor Jusufi, Joshua Walter (4)
Shutouts: Nikita Sokolor
*—————————————–
| Nanaimo United FC – (D1) | 8 | |
| Vantreights – (D1) | 1 |
Nanaimo United FC – (D1)
Goals: Jordan Lindsay (2), Matt Mehrassa (2), Daragh Fitzgerald (4)
Vantreights – (D1)
Goals: Antony Rogers
*—————————————
So with all that business, here are the up to date standings:
| 1 | Gorge FC – (D1) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
| 2 | Vic West FC – (D1) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 6 |
| 3 | Cowichan FC – (D1) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| 4 | Westcastle United – (D1) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| 5 | Nanaimo United FC – (D1) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
| 6 | Comox Valley United – (D1) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 7 | VI Wave – (D1) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 3 |
| 8 | Lakehill FC – (D1) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 3 |
| 8 | Bays United Liquor Plus – (D1) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 3 |
| 10 | Vantreights – (D1) | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 15 | -13 | 0 |
*******Our Game of the Week was an exciting one from the Masters A Division where Cowichan visited UVis Alumni and were victorious 2-1. Here is a brief write up covering the game.
Both teams have strengthened their lineups over the summer, so all were excited to see how the game would play out.
UVic started very strongly creating several scoring opportunities. They carried a lot of the play and it seemed that they would strike early and often. Between Cowichan’s strong defensive work and the goaltending of Rob McIntyre, & UVic not taking advantage of those opportunities, the score stayed 0-0 going into the 2nd Half. The first half was exciting as Will Moore and Dean Anderson led the way with their efforts. Darcy Penner and Stu Barker had a couple chances of their own, narrowly missing for Cowichan.
The 2nd Half saw the first goal from Cowichan as Stu Barker was composed in the box, finishing top corner with a perfectly placed bender. A brilliant finish to put the visitors up 1-0. Cowichan was starting to create more chances of their own, had it not been for a couple saves by Keeper Mike Haufman, they would have had another goal or 2. UVic tied the game at 66’ as Dean Anderson had an open net to shoot at as a gratuitous rebound fell nicely to him with no Cowichan defenders in site. Cowichan kept pushing and while both teams were pushing and narrowly missing, it was Todd Vass who scored the go ahead goal (and eventual winner) at 85’. A scrambly play in the box that sent the visitors back to half in a hurry to defend for the remaining minutes.
An excellent showcase for the Masters Division – most likely 2 teams that will qualify for BC Soccer’s Provincial Cup.
The 1550’s / Heineken Man of the Match – Stu Barker for Cowichan 49ers. Besides scoring the first goal, he had a big part in the start of the 2nd goal – and had a solid work rate all game for the Cowichan aquad.
Already looking forward to the return fixture at Sherman Rd Park