Nanaimo United had the run of play until time ran out, and that’s when they lost the game.
The premier women’s soccer team was defeated by Coquitlam Metro Ford in penalty kicks to decide a 2-2 playoff game Saturday at Merle Logan Field.
The visitors scored two early goals but United battled back. First Alli Bach scored on a spot kick after teammate Jackie Churchill was hauled down in the box, then Jessie Weninger scored one from 25 yards out to tie things up.
United carried play the rest of the way, and nearly won it with 10 minutes to go when Churchill scoring attempt ricocheted off the crossbar.
The home team had more chances during 30 minutes of extra time, with Emily Nicholson hitting another crossbar.
In penalty shots, United missed its first two opportunities and Coquitlam capitalized to secure the win.
“The game should never have gone to PKs with the number of chances we had,” said Anup Kang, United coach, in a press release. “For sure it’s a tough way to lose.”
Kang said the young team, missing a handful of key players to injury this spring, should be in the mix again next year.
“The girls really stepped up and showed we are amongst the elite teams in B.C.,” said the coach. “We’ve come a long way in the last two years as a program and [there is] a bright future ahead.”
SOCCER TALK … Nanaimo United’s Div. 1 women’s team, meanwhile, advanced in the Leeta Sokalski provincial B cup brackets thanks to a forfeit win over Surdel FC. The quarter-finals go April 30 or May 1.