The home teams weren't able to get a goal as the PacWest season got underway.
The Vancouver Island University Mariners men's and women's soccer teams hosted the Quest Kermodes on Wednesday in Pacific Western Athletic Association action at Merle Logan Field. The M's women lost 1-0 and the men tied 1-1.
"We battled, they definitely came to play as well," said Chris Arnett, one of the captains of the VIU men. "We weren't good enough in front of goal today. The chances were there, we just couldn't put them away."
Scott Brown earned the shutout and newcomer Rene Bieberdorf was man of the match, dominating his side of the pitch.
Bill Merriman, coach of the VIU men, liked his team's pace, but said the squad needed to play with more composure.
"The first game, everybody was pretty excited, pretty hyped and you could tell we were maybe working a little too hard when we didn't need to," he said. "We could've just made simple passes and we didn't."
First-game jitters were also a storyline in the women's match.
"With us being the champs, in the first game there was going to be a lot of nerves, the expectations were high," said coach Anup Kang. "We came out and we were very, very nervous in the first half … and then settled down."
His team controlled the play in the second half.
"We were unlucky we couldn't get the goal back," Kang said. "We had some really good chances, a couple of open nets."
GAME ON … The Mariners soccer teams visit the Capilano Blues on Sunday (Sept. 13).
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