As the weekend approaches, the Island Soccer League is full steam ahead and preparing for Cup semi finals.
We continue on in hopes that we can continue to play the game we love while staying safe and responsible to each other.
This weekend has semi finals fully established for 2 of our major trophies – the Tony Grover Masters Cup and the Sir John Jackson Cup.
Our most prestigious Cup, the Sir John Jackson, has the 2 following games lined up for this Saturday:
| Mar 14 15:00 | Nanaimo United FC (D1) | Vic West FC (D1) | Merle Logan Turf A | ||||||||
| Mar 14 20:00 | Victoria Highlanders FC (D2) | Lakehill FC (D1) | Westhills Stadium |
Semi final #1 in Nanaimo has recently rejuvenated Nanaimo Utd hosting Vic West at Merle Logan Turf.
Nanaimo will be the team to beat as they have been surging, and recently took down the previously undefeated Westcastle team.
Vic West has had an easier road to the semi’s, but will look to prove the non believers wrong.
Semi final #2 is at Braefoot Turf and it has Division 1 Champion Lakehill hosting the last Div 2 team left in the tournament, the Victoria Highlanders.
Lakehill comes in as heavy favorites, and the Highlanders welcome the opportunity to test themselves against the best.
This will be a fast game, and it will be interesting to take in.
In case you need a reminder, here is how the tournament bracket came to be:
The Masters Cup will also have its semi finals this weekend, and both games have the favorites looking to progress through the tournament and meet up in the final.
Here are the 2 games that are also slated for Saturday and both at 6 pm:
| Mar 14 18:00 | Cowichan 49ers (MA) | CB Red Barn Bobcats (MA) | Sherman Road Turf | ||||||||
| Mar 14 18:00 | Castaways Juniors (MA) | UVic Alumni (MA) | Finlayson Turf |
-Things get underway at Sherman Rd Turf in Duncan as Cowichan host Cordova Bay.
Cowichan is favored, but Cordova Bay match up well with the defending Champions.
This will be a highly contested match that could provide a huge upset on the night.
-The other semi final is a true David / Goliath match up as Castaways Juniors host UVic Alumni at Finlayson.
UVic finished the season with a perfect record, and while Castaways have had an excellent year, it will take some sort of divine intervention to topple UVic.
We look forward to playing the games and avoiding the snow, and the COVID.
Hope to see you out there, while staying safe, and practicing safety in everything health related.
Vince Greco
VISL Executive Director
VISL Executive Director