VISL Cup Finals Set for March 24-25 Weekend

-submitted by Vince Greco

All teams are now official, the pairings are set, here are the match ups for the upcoming weekend and all 4 Cup Finals.

Our main event – the Sir John Jackson Cup.

Established in 1915, our most coveted trophy. At one point it was the only trophy to be competed for on the Island. This changed come the 80’s with the conception of the Challenge Cup.

Will it be Lakehill winning the Cup for the 1^st time, or will it be Gorge who have not hoisted the Cup since 2010 – when they captured it 6 times in a row.

The battle of Saanich is definitely a rare one.

Lakehill had to battle to get to the Final knocking off a strong Div 2 Lakehill team, then another top Div 2 team in Mid Isle. Their last win was the upsetting of Cup favorite Vic West FC.

Gorge’s road was similar in ways. They disposed of Vic West Div 2 easily, then snuck by Fernwood Div 2 with a late goal. They too came into the Final by upsetting Division champion Cowichan.

*——————————————————

Just before the feature match – the Tony Grover Masters Cup.

First competed for in the year 2000 when the Masters category was formed.

This could easily be the match of the weekend as 2 of the top teams will be battling it out vs eachother.

Defending champion Cowichan 49ers vs Gorge FC Backfit.

Cowichan’s run was made harder than anticipated when Prospect Lake took them to extra time. They have been able to cruise into the Final with ease otherwise.

Gorge had a tough match with division rival UVic in the 1^st round, survived a scare in the ¼’s, then advanced to the Final with an easy win vs Vic West.

Fans should get their money’s worth – referee’s will not get overtime should game go to extra time.

*——————————————————–

Saturday events with have the George Smith Under 21 Final played as a finale to the day.

Established in 2001 when the entire Province went with a younger division to bridge the gap of young men leaving the game, this year’s Final is a tale of 2 totally different paths in getting to the Final.

Cowichan has had 2 very tough matches to get here, and were stretched to the limit by beating Lakehill and Prospect Lake.

Vic West on the other hand; a first round bye, followed up with a come from behind victory over Juan de Fuca earned them a spot in the big show.

A hard working Vic West team vs a very organized Cowichan team – should be interesting.

*——————————————————-

Our first Final of the weekend will be the George Pearkes Challenge Cup Final.

Started in 1984, this tournament used to have the Masters divisions included and they dominated. Once the Masters Cup was formed, the Division 3 & 4 teams were happy to see them leave.

Odd circumstances for this years Final.  The Saanich Fusion Bandits replace the Prospect Lake Kal Tire team via a successful protest. The road was not easy and all 3 of their games leading to were quite close.

The other side has Gorge Us-Guys and they had a very tough time getting to the Final. A 1^st round tilt vs another big team in Bays, and they squeaked out an overtime win vs Saltspring, followed by a battle royal against the Hellas.

2 of the top Division 3 teams facing each other – should be a good one.

*——————————————————-

All the above mentioned teams will be representing themselves and the VISL in BC Soccer Provincial Cup.

As the season comes to an end, we hope to see you at Royal Athletic Park supporting people in your community and supporting local soccer.