Brent Mutis
CapU Blues sports info
The final weekend of the regular season can present some funky scenarios for PACWEST soccer teams.
For some sides, assured of their place in the standings, it’s a chance to rest some starters while other teams, desperate for playoff footing, throw all they have at it. For the Capilano Blues, finishing the schedule at Vancouver Island University (VIU), there was a chance to catch and pass both Douglas College and VIU with the right mix of results.
As it turned out, a loss and a draw at VIU kept the Blues where they were when the weekend began – third place in the PACWEST standings and in line for a meeting with Douglas in the PACWEST provincial semifinals on Oct. 26.
Sunday’s 3-3 tie in the season finale was punctuated by two goals from Taylor Melnyk, the first tallies for her in Blues colours. She later assisted on the tying goal, delivering a cross which was headed in by Sophie Pather.
The come-from-behind draw with the first-place Mariners is hopefully a boost for the Blues, as they overcame two separate two-goal deficits thanks to Melnyk’s finishing touch.
The second-year native of Kelowna ran onto a nice feed from Kaitlyn Johnson late in the first half and blasted a left-footed effort from the edge of the 18-yard box that beat the VIU keeper cleanly. After the Mariners restored their lead, Melnyk got the Blues back within one again as she poked home a loose ball in the area after a Johnson corner kick.
Capilano’s defence held the rest of the way and in the 67th minute, some deft work on the ball by Maya Smith allowed her to send Melnyk on a run down the right side and she lofted a cross that Pather redirected with her head into the top corner.
The tie was a nice note to head into the postseason on after a 3-0 setback Saturday. Capilano will be the No. 3 seed at PACWEST provincials which are being hosted by Langara at Willoughby Park in Langley. The Blues will face Douglas in Saturday’s semifinal with kickoff set for Noon. The winner will advance to face VIU for gold on Sunday at Noon.
