Saanich Fusion has finally come down to earth. But they remain tantalizingly out of reach for Comox Valley United.
The Vancouver Island Soccer League Div. 2 leading Fusion were undefeated in their first 14 games, but have lost their last two.
That has presented second-place United with a glorious opportunity to close the gap, but the local men’s soccer side has had to settle for a draw in their last two games and trail the Fusion by nine points.
This past weekend, United played to a scoreless tie with eighth-place Gorge United in Victoria, with Mack Zirkl posting his division-best seventh shutout.
“It was a tough one,” said Bob Caya of United. “We controlled the game but couldn’t pop one in.”
Saanich lost 2-1 to fifth-place co-holder Gordon Head Blazers while third-place Westcastle remain one point back of United after tying Lakehill United 2-2. Fourth-place Cowichan fell off the pace in their bid for promotion thanks to a 3-0 loss to fifth-place co-holder Nanaimo United.
United hosts cellar-dwelling Prospect Lake this Saturday, with game time 2 p.m. at Valley View. On Feb. 8 the local side is away to Saanich looking to avenge the 2-1 loss the Fusion handed them in Courtenay back in October.
THROW INS The local lads’ first Jackson Cup match goes Feb. 16 against Div. 1 Bays Liquor Plus in Victoria … that play-in game is the first step on the long road leading to the cup final on March 30 … Gokhan Avcil leads the United scoring with seven goals while Darren Berg and Nick Marinus have six each …
