Anytime the Hughes brothers are reunited it’s a good thing for Saanich soccer.
Jordie Hughes, 31, of the Bays United was named MVP as he scored twice on Saturday to lead the Vancouver Island Soccer League’s Div. 1 all-star team over the visiting Fraser Valley Soccer League’s premier all-star team 3-0 at Layritz Field in Saanich.
Rare is it that Tyler Hughes, 35, of Cowichan FC joins with younger brother Jordie as they did on Saturday. The former Spectrum Community school grads are known as original six members of the Highlanders FC but have played on separate VISL squads, including twice facing each other in the Div. 1 Jackson Cup championship final.
Their’s was the last of four VISL all-star games throughout the day.
Layritz is the home of Prospect Lake soccer club’s new clubhouse, a great place for them to call home, said VISL president Vince Greco.
“Tents and warmth by Jeune Bros. was great, the Molson-sponsored beer garden worked out well and the barbecue and concession was good. It was a great effort by Prospect Lake,” Greco said.
Gorge’s Cam Stokes scored the other goal for VISL. Jordie earned the 1550s/Molson Canadian Team Sales MVP award while goalie Elliot Mitrou (Bays United) was given the Game MVP Molson Canadian Survival Kit for the clean sheet.
Proceeds from yellow card fines were handed over to Prospect Lake to go along with their 50/50 profits to KidsSport, Greco said.
The day started with the VISL U21 all-stars bettering the Div. 4 all-stars 4-1. U21 player Billy Bagiopoulous (Mid Isle) scored twice and Justin Atwal (Gorge) and Nick Hurley (Bays) once each. Mustafa Alsaedd scored the only Div. 4 goal (Prospect Lake). Two MVP awards were handed out, one to Josh Silva (Vic West 4a) and one to Bagiopoulous.
Alex Thammavong of Prospect Lake Lakers potted the only hat trick of the day, leading the Div. 2 all-stars 4-1 over Div. 3. Thammavong was named MVP for his effort while Declan O’Callaghan (Vic West 3b) earned it for scoring Div. 3’s only goal.
The Div. 2 team scored all its goals in a seven-minute surge, said Greco.
Fraser Valley also sent a team to play VISL at the Masters level, with VISL bettering FVSL in penalty kicks after a 4-4 tie.
UVic Alumni players Nando Dunic and Dean Anderson each scored twice.
The day was not without controversy. A security breach in the beer garden revealed the masters trophy was stolen and missing for some time. However, after a covert special ops search, the trophy was found, Greco said.
Sport detective Moreno Stefani of the VISL Masters received an MVP-worthy toast as he ran with the trophy over his head through the beer garden.
