Vancouver Island University’s soccer teams both went undefeated in their home-turf debuts. The Mariners men’s and women’s sides each earned a win and a draw this past weekend in Pacific Western Athletic Association action at Merle Logan Field.
The men defeated the Langara Falcons 2-1 on Saturday and then tied the Quest Kermodes 1-1 on Sunday. The women tied Langara 1-1 and beat Quest 2-1.
Ben Robson scored both goals for the VIU men Saturday in the first half. The Falcons made it 2-1 late in the first half on a penalty kick.
Mateo Kostering scored Sunday in the 65th minute and it looked as though the goal would hold up as the game winner, but the Kermodes headed one into the M’s net in the dying seconds of injury time.
“[We] are starting to show signs of jelling together as a team and playing for each other,” said Bill Merriman, the team’s coach, in a press release.
In women’s action, Carli Rey scored a first-half goal Saturday that stood up until the 82nd minute, when Langara tied things up.
The next day Kaylee Dodds scored following a corner kick from Jillian Kelly early in the game and Emma Johannson made it 2-0 in the second half to help VIU knock off the previously undefeated Kermodes.
"It would have been nice to get all six points this weekend but we are happy with the four, these were two very good teams we played," said Anup Kang, the team's coach, in a press release. "Wwe have a lot of injuries but players we slotted in really stepped up."
GAME ON … VIU hosts the Kwantlen Eagles on Saturday (Sept. 21) and the Douglas Royals on Sunday at Merle Logan. The Mariners women take on the Eagles at noon Saturday followed by a men's match at 2 p.m. The next day the lady M's play at 1 p.m. followed by the men at 3 p.m.