Comox Valley United feels right at home when they’re on the road.
The local Vancouver Island Soccer League Div. 1 men’s squad has lost only one of six away games (4-1-1) this season, and made it two in a row on their current three-game road stretch on Dec. 5 in Victoria with a 2-1 win over VI Wave.
Zack Stinson scored both United goals and was named team MVP. Mackenzie Cole tallied the Wave goal.
“It was miserable weather in the first half, we had trouble getting out of our end because of the wind,” said United coach Carey Cordocedo. “Not much was happening as each team tried to establish a rhythm.
“In the second half we started to establish our game and on a nice pass from Tom Butcher, Zack made a penetrating run and knocked the ball around the goalie before slotting it home into the empty cage,” Cordocedo recounted.
“A few minutes later a ball passed the defensive line where Grayson Chalifoux used his speed to get around the defender who was doing his best to hold Grayson up. But he fought through it, took a touch and then passed the ball across the six-yard box to a streaking Zack who, with his check on his back, one-timed the nice pass into the onion bag.
“We tried to manage the rest of the game until with no time on the clock the ref awarded a penalty kick when our goalie pushed their forward, who made a reckless challenge on a ball our keeper had his hands on. VI Wave converted the PK, then the whistle went.”
The victory improved United’s record to 8-3-2 and keeps them tied with Saanich Fusion for second place. The Fusion defeated Westcastle United 6-1 on Dec. 5 to move ahead of the Comox Valley crew on goal differential: Saanich is +11 (30GF-19GA) and Comox Valley is +10 (25GF-15GA).
United completes their three-game road stretch Dec. 12 in Victoria against Vic West. The game is also their last of 2015. They return to action Jan. 16 when they host Saanich in a 6 p.m. start at the Vanier Turf Field.
