The last time the Douglas Royals men's soccer team squared off against the Capilano Blues, the Royals came up short, as two goals late in the second half resulted in a 2-1 Blues victory.
Heading into last weekend the Royals had seen some success, coming off a solid 2-0 victory over the VIU Mariners keeping them in contention for the top of the league and giving them a momentum boost.
The first half of Saturday's game started off with some chippy play as both teams picked up yellow cards in just over twenty minutes of game time.
As the second half began, possession of the ball went back and forth as both teams put up seven shots.
The score sheet was blank until the 90th minute, when third year player Taylor Richardson scored his second goal of the season, returning the favour to the Blues late pair of goals. When asked about how he felt about his goal, Richardson said "It feels amazing, to do what they did to us was awesome."
Third year player Joshua Penny then managed to score his second goal of the season after being given a penalty kick in extra time, closing off the 2-0 victory on Saturday.
Sunday's game took on special meaning for the team as they played in commemoration of Head Coach Robby Toor's brother, who lost his life to mental health challenges and addiction last year. A clothing drive was held in collaboration with Surrey FC which, at the close of the game, saw close to $1000 in cash donations and over 50 bags full of gently used winter clothes.
"One thing I really wanted to do is to give back to the community because I don't think there's enough awareness about this issue. A lot of people don't have that kind of support so its good to do what we can do to help," said coach Toor when asked about the campaign.
The first half of Sunday's game was scoreless until the 43rd minute, as leading goal scorer for the Blues Adrian Sahagun scored on a penalty kick, giving him his seventh goal of the season, tied for top goal scorer in the conference.
The Royals did strike back in the 73rd minute as first year player Milan Gandhesa scored his third goal of the season notching the game at one.
Two minutes later, the Blues struck again as third year player Ahmed Kamal Ibrahim netted his first of the season, inching Capilano ahead.
The Royals however were determined to not let this one slip as team captain Burhan Waisy brought the Royals back with nine minutes left in regulation to tie up the score at two a piece. Both teams would hold on to that result to close the contest.
With 4 of 6 points captured over the weekend, the Royals have mathematically secure second place in the PACWEST standings with a shot at first in their sights. The final two games of their regular season will be at Cunnings field in a home and home set against Langara and VIU October 19th and 20th respectively.
