By Dan Marshall

PCSL Mariners lose out in second straight league final

Aug 4, 2017 | 12:20 PM

NANAIMO — The Mid-Ilse Mariners of the Pacific Coast Soccer League made it to the championship game last weekend.
 
It’s the second time in as many years they’ve come one win short of a title.
 
Vancouver United won the Challenge Cup with a 3-1 decision in Port Moody. 
 
Getting to that level back to back is an amazing accomplishment but team spokesman Bill Merriman says it’s also heartbreaking.
 
“It’s a little frustrating to lose again in the final. Overall I was pleased with the way our team played, but we came up against a team that was just a little hungrier than us,” said Merriman.
 
In 2017 the Mariners exceeded expectations after turning over a lot of players form the previous year.
 
Several members of the PCSL squad are also prospects or returning players at VIU so Merriman sees the summer soccer season as a springboard into PACWEST play at the university level in September.
 
There isn’t much of a break now with the first league game for the VIU Mariners September 9.
 
 
dan@nanaimonewsnow.com
 
On twitter: @danmarshall77