Mariners and Falcons Sweep
It was a great weekend for both the VIU Mariners and Langara Falcons on the women's pitch
Defending champs earn sweep
The VIU Mariners claimed a home weekend sweep of the Douglas Royals as both teams opened the 2025 regular season schedule.
SATURDAY – VIU Mariners 4 – Douglas Royals 0
The Mariners opened their title defence early with a goal in the 10th minute off the foot of Avery Henderson who tallied the marker that would hold up as the game winner.
In the 34th minute Mariners’ forward Erin Jensen was awarded a penalty kick; however, Royals’ keeper Vanessa Chung made a diving save to her right and stoned Jensen to keep the Royals in the game. However, on the ensuing corner kick Jada Kamerman bent an incredible shot over the leaping keeper into the back of the net to give the Mariners a two-goal lead which they took into the half.
In the second half veteran Jade Dillabough scored in the 50th minute, then seven minutes later Emma Thornton put the game out of reach, solidifying the victory.
SUNDAY – VIU Mariners 2 – Douglas Royals 1
Sunday afternoon the Mariners once again took advantage of homefield and took down their rivals with an important one goal victory.
After not scoring on Saturday, the Royals opened the scoring on Sunday in the ninth minute when Kelly Miada found a bouncing ball during a scramble in front of the net that she made no mistake and kicked it home.
During extra time in the first half the Mariners kicked the ball deep into the Royals end which was jumped on by Maggie Thurbide who promptly sent a pass across the crease right in front of the net that found the open right foot of Courtney Ingram. She completed the easy tap in to tie the game at the break.
The game remained tied until the 84th minute when Mary Nicholls shot a ball from midfield that bounced over the Royals keeper and into the back of the net for the eventual game winner.
Falcons surpass last season’s win total in opening weekend
After winning just once in 2024, the Falcons earned a weekend sweep with just one goal on Sunday afternoon at Capilano.
SATURDAY – Langara Falcons 3 – Capilano Blues 1
Erin Bhandal was the difference maker for the Falcons on Saturday by scoring a pair of goals including her second that would hold up as the game winner. She opened the scoring in the 14th minute giving her club a 1-0 lead that they would carry into the break.
In the 50th minute she struck again for her second of the game, after being awarded a penalty kick. She stepped up to the spot and didn’t get much on the kick, squeaking it under the Blues keeper who had guessed right, but couldn’t make the save. The goal would turn out to be the game winner.
The Blues battled hard in the second half and were finally rewarded in the 68th minute when Kai Belbin got her club on the board and cut the lead in half.
The celebration was short-lived, however when the Falcons restored their two-goal lead in the 71st minute when Madison Hung put the game out of reach. They would hang on for the opening day win.
SUNDAY – Langara Falcons 1 – Capilano Blues 0
Melina Glavas scored the lone goal of the game in the 15th minute of the first half. They would continue to pepper the Blues keeper all game long looking to extend the lead, but Rachel Laakmann stood tall making 11 saves keeping her club in the game.
On the other end Falcons’ keeper Kate Bonozew wasn’t tested much thanks to the play on the backline. She was required to make just one save and earned the clean sheet and the Falcons sweep.