Vancouver Island University’s soccer teams were challenged on a road trip to the Interior. The men were able to score a pair of wins, but the women lost both games.
VIU faced Thompson Rivers University on Saturday in Kamloops, then visited the UBC-Okanagan Heat the next day in Kelowna. The men won by scores of 1-0, 1-0, while the women lost 3-1, 3-1.
Goalkeeper Dan Mercer was a standout for the M's men on the weekend as he was called upon to make a number of tough saves in order to record the two shutouts.
His team pulled out both victories in the second half of the games. In Kamloops it was A.J. Kambere running outside, cutting in to the top of the 18-yard box and scoring. The next day it wasn't until there were only 10 minutes left when VIU snapped the scoreless draw. Matt Mehrassa converted a pass from Kambere for the winning goal.
Women’s coach Anup Kang said in a press release his team was hurt by injuries in its losses and he also complained about officiating.
“The players worked so hard and deserved better,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of injuries since the start of the season but once we have a full lineup we’ll be fine.”
Mariah Robinson and Emma Johansson scored goals on the weekend for VIU.
GAME ON … The VIU Mariners soccer team will continue its stretch of away games this weekend as the men and women visit the Langara Falcons on Saturday (Oct. 8) and then face the Quest Kermodes on Sunday.