Ryan Liddiard and the Cascades were held scoreless tonight against Victoria
Chilliwack, BC….The University of Victoria Vikes defeated the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades, 1-0, in Canada West regular season action tonight in Chilliwack, BC. The match was for second place in the Pacific Division of Canada West and the with the victory the Vikes improve to 5-2-0 for 15 points and move ahead of UFV who now sport a 4-4-1 for 13 points. The Cascades and Vikes will play again on Sunday, in Victoria. The Vikes have two games on hand having played two fewer regular season matches to date.
Tonight’s match was evenly played in the first half with both teams playing a defensive style of soccer early on. The Cascades held their own against the more experience Vike team controlling the midfield for parts of the half and making several excellent runs down the wings. UFV’s midfield led by Connor MacMillan, Chilliwack, BC and Justin Sekhon, Abbotsford, BC created several great opportunities for James Najman, Surrey, BC who was unable to beat the Vikes Elliot Mitrou, Victoria, BC.
Midway through the half, Victoria did start to take control of the midfield and the Vikes were able to start to put pressure on UFV’s goalkeeper Mark Village, Abbotsford, BC and the Cascades back four. The Vikes were persistent in keeping the ball in UFV’s side of the field and their hard work paid off in the 39th minute of the match as Craig Gorman, Victoria, BC beat Village with a rocket of a shot off a set piece for the game’s lone goal.
The Cascades challenged Victoria in the second half moving the ball around the pitch and waiting patiently for the right opportunity to shoot on Mitrou but he was able to keep UFV off the board all night. The highlight of the second half came 20 minutes in as Victoria created an opportunity to double their lead as they penetrated the Cascade defense. UFV’s defender brought down the Vike forward in the box and Victoria was awarded a penalty kick that Village promptly saved to keep the deficit at one.
The Vikes were masterful in playing keep away the final 10 minutes. UFV hardly had any touches in the final minutes as the Vikes clinched the road victory and moved into second place.
“We played hard tonight just could not finish,’ said UFV head coach Alan Errington. “Full marks to Victoria for their effort. We will regroup for Sunday’s rematch at Victoria.”
UVic 1 0 = 1
UFV 0 0 = 0
Scoring
First Half
39th Minute UVic C Gorman
Second Half
No Scoring
Goalkeepers:
UVic: E Mitrou Saves: 3 GA: 0 (W) Shutout
UFV: M Village Saves: 5 GA: 1 (L)
Shots on Goal:
UVic: 12 – UFV: 9
Corner Kicks:
UVic: 7 – UFV: 5
Players of the Match:
UVic: Toshi Hayashi UFV: Mark Village
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