Gorge FC won the Vancouver Island Soccer League’s Jackson Cup senior men’s soccer trophy for the first time since 2010, defeating Lakehill 3-2 in an all-Saanich final on Sunday.
The afternoon match for the century-old Jackson Cup was the final from a weekend of men’s trophy games played at Royal Athletic Park.
It’s the first trophy for a new generation of Gorge players, a complete rebuild from the former dynasty that owned the trophy from 2005 to 2010.
Gorge’s Dylan Abbot was named MVP of the Jackson Cup final. Abbot scored the winning goal in the 85th minute.
To get to the final, Gorge disposed of Vic West Div. 2, Fernwood Div 2 (with a late goal) and an upset over Cowichan.
For Lakehill, it was also a big run as they had to beat out a strong Div. 2 Lakehill team, Mid Isle Div. 2 and an upset of cup favorite Vic West FC.
In other men’s cup action, Cowichan defeated Gorge 4-1 for the Tony Grover masters (over-35) trophy. Cowichan United won the George Smith U21 trophy with a 1-0 win over Vic West FC. Gorge Us-Guys won the George Pearkes (Div. 3) challenge cup with a 2-0 win over Saanich Fusion Bandits. Steve Gately scored once and was named the Game MVP, a newly named award in honour of longtime VISL volunteer Kjeld Brodsgaard.
The weekend also featured the Lower Island Women’s Socccer Association final for an all-Saanich Stephanie Shergold Cup (over-30), as Gorge FC (Div. 2) defeated Saanich Fusion Cascades (Div. 2) at Lochside Turf.
The Lakehill Reds Div. 1 added the Doug Day Cup to this year’s trophy haul as they edged the Bays Utd. 2-0 for the Doug Day title. Lakehill’s premier women’s team had already won the Terry Price Cup one week earlier.
Saltspring defeated Lakehill for the Div. 3 Frank Leversedge Cup trophy.
It is amazing how this Sunday morning feeling doesn’t get old. I’m not even playing and I get all jacked up thinking about the last 2 #VISL #TonyGroverCup & #JacksonCup Finals – trophies are secured, time to hit @CityOfVictoria RAP to see who is part of history. pic.twitter.com/A5yA1cXpGH
— Vince Greco (@vincenzo25) March 25, 2018
