The Kwantlen Polytechnic University Eagles women’s soccer team took on two local rivals this past weekend, hosting games versus the Langara Falcons (Vancouver) and the Capilano Blues (North Vancouver). Both programs are known for great success in both the BCCAA and CCAA over the years and Kwantlen’s Eagles were out to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with.
The weekend began with a tough match against the Falcons who are currently ranked 13 in Canada. The game began with an early goal headed in by Nicole Gibbons (Delta) to start the game. With seven minutes remaining in the first half, the Falcons struck after a corner kick that caused a scramble in the box.
Within minutes however, the tenacity of the Eagles’ offence triggered a chance for Marissa Dionne (Delta) to lob a loose ball over top of the Falcon’s keeper, and scoring what would eventually be the game winning goal.
Sunday’s game was a similar team effort with three goals scored by the home side. Dionne and Gibbons both found the back of the net, as did teammate Shanay Sangha, a sophomore from Richmond. “We really took it to Cap in the second half on Sunday,” comments coach Gordon Smith.
“Overall, I’m pretty happy,” says Smith. “We had some players who really did well. Shannon Reykdal (Richmond) had a very solid weekend. She played very intelligently and composed in the back. We had to adjust on Saturday to the sendoff of Kathleen Gratz (Surrey), and our defense absorbed a lot of pressure from Langara near the end of the second half.”
This weekend marked the first back-to-back wins for the Eagles’ squad as well, something coach Smith remarks as important as it is “two-thirds of what we have to do in the Provincials.”
Kwantlen will go out on the road for one final weekend playing against the UBC-Okanagan Heat and Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack before co-hosting the BCCAA Provincial Championships with Langara and Capilano. All games will be played on the turf at Newton Athletic Park from October 29 to 31.
Kwantlen’s varsity athletics teams are the Kwantlen Eagles. In basketball, soccer, badminton and golf, they compete in national intercollegiate leagues. For more information about the Kwantlen Eagles or view live webcast, visit kwantlen.ca/eagles or follow the Eagles on Twitter: KwantlenEagles
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Media Specialist
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