While it was a fantastic weekend of turkey eating for most, the Royals women's soccer team had their eyes set on another bird. The Langara Falcons awaited the Royals in week 5 of PACWEST soccer action.
Eager to get her team home early, Mikayla Hamilton started the derby with an absolute rocket. 4 minutes into the game, the Royals had found their lead, 1-0. 10 minutes later, Sonali Dholliwar would score a rare goal to give the team a 2-0 lead. A few moments after Dholliwar's mark, captain Sam Kell extended her grip on the scoring race, putting away her sixth goal of the year. After the frenzy of the first 25 minutes, the Royals were up comfortably, 3-0.
The Falcons had their chances as well, but goalkeeper Alexa Gazzola stood tall. The Royals backline was also a huge part of their success, and they would be called upon heavily in the second half. With a 3-0 lead secured, all they had to do was lock it down.
The Falcons wouldn't make easy for them as they pressed to at least get one on the board. Their high pressure, attack style left them vulnerable in the back. In the 78th minute, Mikayla Hamilton would put away her second of the game and the game winner. Alexa Gazzola made five saves to earn her a clean sheet in her first games in two weeks. 4-0 Royals.
However, the weekend didn't end there. The Royals still had a second game against the Falcons to worry about. Both teams came out swinging in game two. However, this time around, it was the Royals who had trouble solving the Falcons' goalkeeper, despite tallying four shots on net in the first half. Nicole Bell would score for the Falcons in the 40th minute to give them a 1-0 lead heading into the second half.
Midfield was the story of the game for both sides in the last 45 minutes of the game. Both sides had decent looking runs only to be stifled by the other team. A much easier half for the keepers also meant that the Royals failed to find another opportunity to tie the game up. They would drop game two 1-0 to the Falcons. The loss brings their season record against the Falcons to 1-2.
Next week, the Royals look to take on the Quest Kermodes as well as the VIU Mariners in an exciting week of play. You can come support the Royals as they take on the Quest Kermodes on Saturday, October 13th at 1 pm on Cunnings Field!
