Penalty Kicks To Determine Semi

It was the most exciting game of the semi-finals as the Douglas College Royals and VIU Mariners needed to decide a winner in penalty kicks with the Royals getting the job done on the eighth shooter.

The Royals looked like they would open the scoring on a penalty kick, but Nick Pindea Graham was denied by the Mariners keeper David Turkstra in the 12th minute.

However Graham would get a second chance and make no mistake in the 18th minute to give the Royals a 1-0 lead.   They would make it 2-0 after Isaac Kyei scored in the 29th minute.

Just seconds later the PACWEST Player of the Year Shun Takano got the Mariners on the board with his first of the post season. Then he tied it in the 69th minute.

After regulation and nine cards, the game stayed tied and headed to extra time.    Nothing was solved in the extra time sessions, so this semi-final would be determined by penalty kicks.

After VIU scored on their first four attempts, Mateo Kostering had a chance to win it and missed. The Royals stormed back with five straight including keeper Jared Horvath finding the back of the net.  Both goalkeepers extended the kicks with enormous saves, before Juggy Bassi stepped up for the Royals and buried the game winner.

The Royals will face the Capilano Blues in Saturday’s gold medal game at 8:00pm, while the Mariners will face the Quest Kermodes in the bronze medal game at 2:30pm.

Photo courtesy of Vancouver Sports Pictures