Royals Advance
The Douglas Royals win in penalty kicks to advance to play for gold
Douglas Royals 4
Capilano Blues 3
The Royals will play for PACWEST gold after beating the Falcons in penalty kicks on Saturday afternoon in an exciting women’s semi-final.
Both teams had excellent chances early on in this one but just couldn’t connect and find the back of the net. Finally in the 10th minute the Royals opened the scoring after an Ashlynn Grim’s through ball was misplayed by the Falcons backline squirting through to the top of 18-yard box for All-Star Isabelle Dobbin who took advantage and lifted a shot over top of the keeper and into the net for her eighth goal of the season.
The Falcons pressured the Royals looking for the equalizer and Erin Bhandal answered the call in the 25th minute. With a scramble at the top of the 18-yard box, Bhandal got control and volleyed home a bouncing ball over a leaping Royals’ keeper to tie the game.
In the 32nd minute the Falcons took their first lead with a distance shot from Annette Hernandez, lifting a ball high over the keepers hand catching Vanessa Chung off her line.
The Royals needed to press for the equalizer and in the 78th minute Jessica Parks tied the semi-final again. She received a pretty pass at the top of the box who lifted a looping shot over the keeper to tie it.
With scored tied at the end of regulation the game needed extra time and the Falcons took advantage. Bhandal created a turnover in the 98th minute and got to a loose ball in the box and used her left foot to shoot it past Chung to give her club a 3-2 lead.
Play continued and there was still time on the clock for the Royals to push. In the 102nd minute the Royals crossed a ball into the 18-yard box in which a Royals forward and the Falcons keeper got tangled up, allowing the ball to come loose for Emma Saran who simply tapped it into the open net for an improbable goal.
With time finally expired the game needed penalty kicks to be decided with these results:
KICKS:
Langara, Hernandez - GOAL
Douglas, Jessica Lau - GOAL
Langara, Bhandal - GOAL
Douglas, Emma Saran - Save. Retaken. GOAL
Langara, Giovinazzo - GOAL
Douglas, Klaver-Valdez - Save
Langara, Dhillon - Miss, high
Douglas, Narcis - GOAL
Langara, Bonozew - Miss, high
Douglas, Grim – GOAL
The Royals will meet the VIU Marines on Sunday for the PACWEST gold medal.
Players of the Game:
Douglas – Ashlynn Grim
Langara – Erin Bhandal