Peace Arch United captured the Fraser Valley Soccer League’s premier-division title Saturday – and in convincing fashion, too – with an emphatic 6-1 victory over Chilliwack Mission United.
The win – and the FVSL title – is the first of potentially two championship trophies PAU can collect this month.
The premier men’s squad faces off against North Delta Saturday for the Pakenham Cup.
“We’re halfway there,” said Peace Arch United’s John Collins, on the potential double-dip.
Mike Evans and Taki Vohalis each had a pair of goals for Peace Arch Saturday, with Jamie Williams and an own-goal from Chilliwack rounding out the scoring.
Despite the lopsided score, it was largely a defensive battle through the opening 25 minutes, as neither team could find the back of the net. Peace Arch opened the scoring at that point, but Chilliwack’s Mike Perry knotted the game 1-1 shortly thereafter.
Before halftime though, Peace Arch potted three quick ones to go up 4-1 at the break, and then added two more in the second half.
“We came into the game really prepared, and Chilliwack, being a ninth-place team, didn’t really have a whole lot to play for,” Collins said.
The win not only gives Peace Arch the premier banner – and the chance for its first double championship since the 2007 and ’08 seasons – but also ensures PAU will have a top-four seed at the provincial cup later this spring.
“That’s really important for us – it means we won’t have to face another top-four seed until later (in the tournament),” Collins said.
“At this point in the year, it’s all about keeping that momentum going and moving forward. This puts us in a real good spot.”
Peace Arch finishes the 18-game Fraser Valley Soccer League schedule with a 13-4-1 record (win-loss-tie). They’ll hit the field for the Pakenham Cup final on Saturday, 2:30 p.m. at South Surrey Athletic Park against North Delta.
Prior to the Pakenham contest, Peace Arch United’s Division 2 men’s team will play for the President’s Cup title at 1 p.m., also at South Surrey Athletic Park.
