The two-year hiatus is over.
For the 12th time in 14 seasons, the Surrey United women’s soccer team is once again the Provincial Cup champion.
United topped the North Shore Renegades in the Provincial Cup final Saturday afternoon in Burnaby, regaining the B.C. Championship they last won in 2014, the year they won an 11th consecutive Provincial Cup. “It’s definitely a bit of a rebuild,” said United head coach Spiro Pegios of the changes which were made between the two most recent championship runs. “The culture of the team had to change because we had to bring in some young players, and we had to assume a different kind of philosophy as to how we play, and how we coach and mentor players. “It’s been a long haul, but it’s been fun.”
Yvamara Rodriguez scored the only goal of the game midway through the first half, jumping on a loose ball just outside the North Shore penalty area and one-timing the ball over the goaltender and into the top-left corner of the net.
The two Metro Women’s Soccer League rivals were scoreless over the final 70 minutes of play, with each side struggling to create quality scoring chances.
“Every time we get to a cup final, we know it’s not going to be the nicest looking game,” said Pegios. “But it’s still fun to watch because of the intensity and the physical battles.”
North Shore had the best scoring chance of the second half, a quick shot from 20 yards out which United goalie Zoe Makrigiannis was able to get a hand in front of.
“Zoe made a couple of key save. And she’s a physical presence, and she used it to her advantage. It resonated through the team,” said Pegios. “The team built off that.”
United will advance to the Jubilee Trophy national championship tournament to be played in Langley Oct. 4-9. Surrey has won two previous national championships, the first coming at Newton Athletic Park in 2006, the second in Brossard, Quebec in 2011.
