Nanaimo United pushed it to overtime, but were unable to advance in provincial cup play.
United lost 2-1 to Cowichan FC on Saturday in Duncan in B.C. Soccer playdowns.
“That was probably the best they’ve played against us,” said Glen Martin, Cowichan coach. “Or the worst we’ve played against them.”
Nanaimo dominated the early going, but didn’t manage to score a goal.
“They were pretty unlucky,” Martin assessed.
Cowichan opened the scoring about 15 minutes into the match; not long after, Nanaimo evened the score after Cowichan goalkeeper Darian Achurch mishandled the ball, and the teams went to their dressing rooms at halftime knotted at 1-1.
Cowichan was awarded a penalty kick and capitalized midway through the first overtime frame and defended the rest of the way, although nearly the entire second overtime was played in the Cowichan end. Nanaimo did appear to score during the second 15 minutes, but it was ruled offside.
Cowichan advances to play the BCT Tigers Rovers United in the provincial semifinals.
Nanaimo United’s soccer season is now over. United’s premier women lost 2-1 to Surrey United in playoff action at Merle Logan Field on Saturday.