The VIU Mariners womens soccer team celebrate winning a penalty shootout against Humber to advance to the bronze medal game. (CCAA)

By Alex Rawnsley

bowing out

Bronze medal and recognition as CCAA’s best, Dunlop wraps collegiate career at VIU

Nov 20, 2022 | 6:09 AM

NANAIMO — It’s not the colour of medal the team wanted to end up with, but the VIU Mariners women’s soccer team still ended their season on a high.

The Mariners earned bronze at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) National Championships near Montreal Nov. 9 through 12. The team dropped their opening match to Seneca College, before winning the rest of their games.

Cara Dunlop, a final-year player, said it was satisfying to triumph over the same Seneca team in the bronze medal game.

“It kind of made it full circle. We were pretty upset after the first game, especially the players who are graduating and I had higher hopes to be higher on the podium but to battle back and come back after a loss and win three games was huge for us.”

After the 2-0 opening day loss to Seneca, VIU beat Mount Saint Vincent University 2-1, the Humber Hawks on penalties before a 70th minute goal in the bronze medal game helped VIU get their revenge.

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Dunlop said despite being roughly 3,700 kilometres away from home, the support which followed the team made it feel like the Island.

“We had so many fans who travelled all the way to Quebec, even one of our international students her dad came from Japan. It felt like we were at home in Quebec, we just had so much support around us.”

In addition to the bronze medal, Dunlop also claimed some extra hardware.

She was named the 2022 CCAA Women’s Soccer Player of the Year. Dunlop was also named as one of 14 All-Canadian players.

They’re honours Dunlop was quick to share with her teammates.

“I honestly think it’s my team that makes me look good and I can play good because I’m surrounded by so many high level athletes and they push me everyday and my coaches push me, so I like to think of it as a team thing that I was able to get that award.”

Cara Dunlop (centre) is presented with her award as the 2022 CCAA Women’s Soccer Player of the Year. (CCAA)

The bronze medal game was Dunlop’s last as a Mariner. She’ll graduate from VIU with a Bachelor of Education in the spring and move on from University sports.

A career in teaching and plenty of time spent on the pitch as a soccer coach will keep her engaged with youth and the game she loves.

Dunlop is sure the work she and other Mariner players and coaches have put in over recent years to continue elevating the program will continue to pay dividends locally.

“It’s huge for the program and soccer in Nanaimo. Youth should be very excited to grow up in Nanaimo and playing soccer because there’s such passionate coaches.”

She added there is a lot of crossover between the Mariner program and local youth soccer.

“A lot of our team is involved in the community, involved in coaching. Making that link that there are options for post secondary (soccer) in Nanaimo and it’s very high level and making those connections with younger players or other coaches…it’s huge for sport in Nanaimo.”

The VIU Mariners mens soccer team also made the National Championship, held in Langley. After a 5-2 win on opening day, the team was unable to pick up another victory and finished 6th.

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alex@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley