The VIU Mariners soccer teams are off to PACWEST provincials. The women have a bye to the gold medal game while the men have a semi final clash with Douglas College. (Matt Carter)

By Dan Marshall

Going for Gold

Mariners soccer teams bound for PACWEST provincials

Oct 29, 2022 | 6:54 AM

NANAIMO — Both VIU Mariners soccer clubs are set to compete in the PACWEST provincials in West Vancouver.

The women earned a bye to the gold medal game scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 30 after finishing in first place in the regular season at 8-2-2. The Mariners men will be in semi final action on Saturday, Oct. 29 against Douglas College.

Both squads finished with identical records of 5-2-5.

Women’s coach Bobby Taylor said there is pressure going into the tournament as the favourite but the team isn’t dwelling on it.

“It’s another game and we’re focusing on the process within that game and in the details as players and our overall team.”

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VIU will play the winner of the Capilano-Douglas semi final matchup.

In four regular season meetings with each school the Mariners earned identical 2-1-1 records.

“They’re two very different teams that play different styles,” Taylor said. “We’ve all played each other four times so we’re well aware of what they have to offer.”

Capilano is hosting the tournament so familiarity with the pitch and a home crowd could be a consideration if they emerge out of the semi final.

Kevin Lindo said his VIU men’s team is in a semi final which could be considered a coin flip.

“It’s quite rare two teams meet with the exact same record. We’re optimistic we can go and put in a performance but it’s going to come down to fine margins for sure.”

In the regular season the Mariners had one win and the two rivals played to three draws.

“It was tight. No one ever really got a lot of space between each other. However we feel like we played some really good soccer against Douglas.”

Just ahead of provincials the PACWEST put out a list of annual award winners.

The Mariners women’s team figured prominently in the major awards with Taylor being named Coach of the Year, Cara Dunlop took Player of the Year honours and Mya Creed was selected as Rookie of the Year.

“It does feel nice and we’ve all worked hard,” Taylor acknowledged. “For the players they’ve put in the work and getting rewarded is fantastic for them.”

Dunlop, Shae Battie, Olivia Mazurenko and Kanae Yamamoto were named PACWEST all stars.

The VIU men also had four all stars with Vasilis Bagiopoulos, Matthew Coburn, Michael Heppelle and Jonathan McKenzie being selected.

The Mariners men were also given the PACWEST Fair Play Award.

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