Two decisive weekend victories earned Comox Valley United the Vancouver Island Soccer League Div. 3B title and promotion to Div. 2.
United defeated Victoria Athletics 5-0 Saturday in Victoria then knocked off Cordova Bay Red Barn Bobcats 4-1 Sunday in Courtenay. “After a disaapointing loss in their final game last year, it was redemption for the men,” a team spokesperson noted.
United finished with a 12-2-4 record, the same as Vantreights, but took first place on goal differential: United scored 49 goals and allowed 12 against for a plus-37 differential while Vantreights were 39-16 for a plus-23 differential.
Saturday in Victoria, goals by Jeff “Old Man” Howe, Riley “One Suit” Murray, and Phil “PK” Ludwig gave Comox Valley the edge against the Althetics early in the first half. Ludwig added another and “Luscious” Luke Phye tallied to put the game out of reach. The clean sheet shutout was Tyler Salmond’s sixth of the season.
In their second matchup at Mark Isfeld on Sunday a lot was on the line against Cordova Bay: a win secures first, promotion to Div. 2 and berth in the provincials; a loss would be another season in Div. 3.
The local side took control early with a beautiful strike by Nick “Stretch” Marinus and what is currently considered the goal of the season by Zachary “Legendary” Stinson who hit a one-timer top corner from the corner of the box. The third and proverbial “nail in the coffin” goal was Tom Butcher’s first of the season. The fourth was added by Stinson, making him player of the game.
The win gives Comox Valley a berth in the Provincial Cup in April as well as promotion to Div. 2 next year. They are also playing in the Pearkes Challenge Cup final in Victoria this Saturday against North Island rivals Campbell River Golden Wings of Div. 3A.
THROW INS You can like United on facebook.com/CVUnitedSoccerMen … Ludwig tied for fourth in Div. 3B scoring with 12 goals …
