After starting the season on a stellar 7 game unbeaten streak, the Douglas College Royals women's soccer team's star has appeared to cool as a weekend split of the final two home games of the season dashed hopes for a 1st seed placement at the PACWEST Soccer Championships.
The Royals needed to square away wins against Langara and VIU to take the top spot in the regular season standings. A little help from the Capilano Blues (they would defeat the VIU Mariners in their Saturday match-up) and a dismantling of the Langara Falcons had the Royals destiny on their foot after Saturday's matches were completed. Unfortunately, the Royals would meet a VIU team that was up to the task on Sunday, controlling much of the play and stymying Royals attempts in the final third of the field. The game would end in a 2-0 loss for the ladies.
Despite the disappointment at the missed opportunity, the Royals will keep their chin up as they find themselves on favourable ground heading into the PACWEST Soccer Championships on Friday. A semi-final match against the Capilano Blues should have the team feeling good about their prospects. The season series has the Royals at 2-1-1 with a +2 goal differential. Between the posts, the tandem of Tess Venables and Elisa Machado has proven formidable, allowing only 6 goals against all season, with 1 goal against in the last 5 games. All positives in a Royals winning equation.
Still, even with past stats in their favour, Coach Laxton believes a consistent and passioned effort will need to be seen from these young Royals to meet the challenge that the Blues offer.
"Doing the little things. Competing, winning tackles, making the right decision with the ball, getting balls on goal, and getting in the final third, that's what we need to do." Said Laxton
The PACWEST Soccer Championships are set to kick-off Friday October 25, at the Burnaby Lake Turf Fields, with the women's game scheduled for 2:30pm.
Graduating Seniors Day
While Sunday's game wasn't the outcome the Royals had hoped, it was all love and smiles as the team paid tribute to graduating seniors Taylor Wettig and Alyssa Lum. Taylor and Alyssa have been instrumental to the Royals success over the years both on the pitch and throughout the team's community engagement activities.
