When you play the best team in the league, with the best Vancouver Island University players, all you can do is – hang on.
That was the lesson learned by Comox Valley United on Nov. 5 when they were blanked 5-0 by the Mid-Isle Mariners in Vancouver Island Soccer League Div. 3B action in Nanaimo.
“We lost to an extremely talented team,” said United coach Jerret Dickinson. “They are comprised of players who have played at a junior professional level, and players whom are on a scholarship to play the game. We on the other hand are a bunch of blue collar guys in our first season in the league…’nuff said.
“We lost but we learned so much. Some of the guys on our team had never played against a team that was at this calibre. It was a definite eye-opener for well over 50 per cent of our team. We only conceded one goal in the second half which kept our spirits high,” Dickinson said.
“The team was positive from start to finish as we had 17 Spartans. After the game we all sat and discussed what it takes to get to the next level…needless to say we were all happy being where we are.”
Dickinson said the game MVP went to keeper Jonathan Schmidt for stopping countless bullets from all angles. “Call out goes to Carey Cordocedo for his experience and calmness during intense situations on our back line,” the coach added.
Fifth-place United (3-5-1) hosts fourth-place Fernwood Town (4-1-2) this Sunday, Nov. 13 in a 4 p.m. kickoff at Vanier Turf Field.
In VISL Div. 1 action Nov. 5 in Campbell River, Comox Valley United fell 3-1 to Cermaq. Riley Murray netted the lone Comox Valley goal and was team MVP.
Ninth-place United (0-6-2) will be looking for their first win this Saturday, Nov. 12 when they host third-place Gorge FC (5-2-1) in a 6 p.m. start at Vanier Turf Field.
