Heroic efforts from injured players helped the Cowichan Blackout advance to the final of the Coastal Cup soccer tournament.
Goalkeeper Braeden Nash absorbed a hard challenge in the first half of last Saturday’s semifinal against Surrey’s Coastal FC at the Cowichan Sportsplex, but stayed in the game and ended up being a decisive factor when the game went to penalty kicks. Nash surrendered just two goals, while his Coastal FC counterpart allowed four, and Cowichan prevailed 4-3. It was only after the game that Nash was found to have bruised ribs from the firsthalf collision. Meanwhile, Nathan Lowe starred on the back line alongside Gavin Pringle despite a leg injury.
Throughout the game, Cowichan would get up on Coastal only to see their opponents
come back and even things up.
"We had leads, and we let them slip away," coach Will Chaster said.
The score was 3-3 after regulation, and nothing changed through two overtimes, necessitating penalty kicks.
Chaster gave credit to brothers Jayden and Aaron Dewit for their work in midfield.
The Blackout will head to the Coastal Cup final this Saturday in Aldergrove.
"I think the guys are really stoked about that," Chaster said.
Their opponent will be another Surrey team, CCB United. Cowichan hasn’t played this particular team before, but did beat another squad from the club in the final of the recent Okanagan Ice Breaker tournament. But any team that can reach the tournament final must be good.
"We expect a good game from them," Chaster said.
