NANAIMO — The VIU Mariners men’s and women’s soccer teams are provincial champions after a near-perfect weekend.
Going into the weekend with a semi-final bye courtesy of a perfect 9-0 season, the women’s squad needed extra time to defeat Capilano by a 2-1 score at Douglas College in Coquitlam on Sunday, Nov. 1.
Emma Thornton had the golden goal in the 98th minute.
“We were well tested, the keeper for Capilano stood on her head. She was outstanding, but we still stuck to our game plan and had to stay patient, but we had a very, very good game,” head coach Bobbie Taylor said after the game.
The women needed overtime Sunday to advance to nationals, 2-1. (Image Credit: PACWEST)
Capilano keeper Megan Thitchener stopped 22 VIU shots throughout the game, earning MVP honours for the match.
The Mariners opened scoring in the 28th minute, with Emma Riccardi pouncing on an Erin Jensen pass inside the box for a 1-0 lead, an advantage they carried into the half.
Capilano tied the match in the 61st minute via Kaianna Sardari, with the score remaining 1-1 at the final whistle.
Thornton’s eventual game-winning goal came from a free kick just outside the 18-yard box.
“Couldn’t be more proud of the team, buying in from all 26 players of being a family, buying into our game model, and making ourselves better every game,” Taylor added postgame.
The Mariners will travel to Conestoga College in Cambridge, Ontario for the CCAA Women’s Soccer Nationals beginning Wednesday, Nov. 11.
The men won their PACWEST provincial title with a 3-1 win on Sunday. (Image Credit: PACWEST)
Already celebrating one gold medal win, the men’s team made it a perfect Sunday with a 3-1 win over Langara to win the team’s first PACWEST title since 2022.
VIU opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, with Rares Stanciu connecting with Brian Bland on a long ball for a 1-0 score.
Langara levelled the game in the 16th minute with Sami Kalombo burying a rebound to make it 1-1, where it stayed for the half.
The Mariners pulled away and controlled the game in the second half.
In the 62nd minute, the team converted a corner with Liam Howe getting on the end of a ball for what would turn out to be the game-winning goal.
The team would double their lead four minutes later through Charlie Smith for a 3-1 win.
Brothers Marshall and Maxwell Dadzie were named co-MVPs for the Mariners.
CCAA Nationals for the men are being hosted by NAIT in Edmonton, also beginning Nov. 11.
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