By Dan Marshall

VIU soccer teams heading to semi final matches at provincials

Oct 25, 2017 | 12:43 PM

NANAIMO — The VIU Mariners are in the final days of training before heading to Squamish for the PACWEST Soccer Provincials.
 
The women’s team will play on Friday as the fourth seed in the tournament, while the men are the favourites in their side of the draw which starts on Saturday.
 
The men are loading up the CCAA nationals, which they will host in November, but they still want to win their way in.
 
They finished with a record of 9-1-2 and will draw the host team from Quest at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
 
Coach Bill Merriman is proud of the way his team handled the regular season.
 
“It feels great. It was our goal (to win the league). It was a contribution from every player on the team. It’s great to do it that way and win by three points against some very good competition,” said Merriman.
 
The 4-3-5 women take on top seeded Douglas at 8 p.m. on Friday.
 
The womens draw is intriguing because the top four teams were separated by just six points in the regular season.
 
Both VIU squads are guaranteed to play two games this weekend with bronze and gold medal games on Saturday and Sunday.
 
The PACWEST has set up a web page to follow provincials here.
 
 
dan@nanaimonewsnow.com
 
On twitter: @danmarshall77