Cowichan United prevailed in the battle between two previously unbeaten teams at the Sherman Road turf last Saturday and moved into first place in Div. 2 of the Vancouver Island Soccer League.
Three different players scored and Darian Achurch earned the shutout as United beat Vantreights 3-0.
Cowichan put pressure on Vantreights early and was rewarded in the 30th minute when Dan Citra sent a long ball to Kevin Smith, who missed on the initial header only to see Stevan Zorich finish the play by volleying the ball into the net.
Smith had a second chance to score just two minutes later when he intercepted a pass by the Vantreights keeper, but missed the target. The score was 1-0 at halftime, and Cowichan kept up the pressure. Team captain Jose Muro added to Cowichan’s lead in the 55th minute, and Smith finally hit paydirt when he once again corralled an errant pass and chipped the ball past the keeper from about 12 yards out. Bram Taylor was named game MVP, while former United regular Adam Taft was impressive in his second call-up to the Div. 2 team this season.
United will visit the Fred Milne Park Rangers at Sooke on Friday.
In Div. 3A, Cowichan Red Arrow had a rough outing against Campbell River Cermaq City Wave at Evans Park on Saturday afternoon, falling 2-0.
“We failed to generate any offence, and we were defending the entire match,” Red Arrow coach Curtis Flynn said.
Campbell River opened the scoring half an hour into the game after Cowichan goalie Tim den Hartigh made several initial saves. Den Hartigh earned game MVP honours for an outstanding performance that saw him stop three breakaways during the game. Other standout players for Red Arrow included Jed August and Brook Lisson.
Red Arrow will try to improve on their 1-4 record this Saturday when they visit Juan de Fuca.
In the Masters C division, the Cowichan Steelheads got two goals apiece from Myron Brooks and game MVP Steven Richards as they downed Vic West 4-1. With a 3-1 record, the Steelheads sit second in their division and will visit the CB Bobcats Alumni this Saturday.
The Masters A Cowichan 49ers had last weekend off. They are 3-0 and second in the Masters A division, one point back of 3-0-1 SFFC Old School, who they will host this Friday at the Ladysmith turf at 7:30 p.m.
In Div. 1, Cowichan LMG will play their first home game in nearly a month when they host Lakehill at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Bow-Mel Chrysler is once again providing free coffee and hot chocolate to all fans.
The Lower Island Women’s Soccer Association had the Thanksgiving weekend off and will return to action this weekend. In Div. 2, the Cowichan Outlaws (0-2-2) will look for their first win of the season when they visit Prospect Lake at Layritz Park on Sunday, while the Over 30A Cowichan Cougars (1-2-0) host Castaways at Evans Park on Sunday at 10 a.m.
