The VIU Mariners have started their 2024 PACWEST journey with a weekend of men's and women's home game versus Langara. (Mary Kessenich)

By Dan Marshall

Kickoff

Mariners soccer teams take to the field for 2024 season

Sep 14, 2024 | 5:57 AM

NANAIMO — The VIU Mariners new PACWEST soccer season is underway.

VIU’s men’s and women’s teams started with a pair of home games last weekend against Langara, with the women earning 2-0 and 5-1 victories.

Meanwhile, the men split their games with a 2-1 triumph to start the opening weekend and a 5-0 loss in their Sunday, Sept. 8 contest against the Falcons.

The women are looking to improve on a third-place finish from the 2023 season.

VIU had three wins, five losses and four draws last year and lost out to Douglas College in the playoff semifinal.

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Fourth-year midfielder Courtney Ingram has high expectations for the current version of the Mariners.

“I think we’re all expecting a lot out of ourselves and of each other. We’re constantly pushing each other to better. There is a lot of depth on the team this year and competition is high for spots.”

The men made a CCAA national championship appearance last year but finished out of the medals.

After a 4-7-1 regular season, the Mariners made it to the PACWEST final before losing out in penalties in the final game.

This version of the men’s team is a mix of veterans and new additions.

One of the stalwarts of the Mariners back line is fifth-year defender Matthew Coburn.

“We definitely have a different team than last year with a lot of new faces. We have our core back, so I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t be able to compete for a provincial championship or national title.”

This year’s provincial PACWEST tournament will run on Oct. 26 and 27, hosted by Langara College.

The women’s nationals are here in BC from Nov. 6-9 at Capilano University.

The men’s CCAA championship is on the same dates at St. Thomas University in New Brunswick

Both VIU teams will hit the road next with games on Saturday, Sept. 14 at Douglas College and Sunday, Sept. 15 against Capilano.

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