Metro Vancouver…..The KPU Eagles’ women’s soccer team remain unbeaten at home after today’s 2-1 victory over the Douglas College Royals at home at Newton Athletic Park in Surrey, BC. The Eagles handed the Royals their first loss of the 2014/15 PACWEST season, and KPU improves their overall record to 2-3-1.
The first half started off as a challenge for the home team. In the 24th minute the Royals would get the first goal as forward Danae Harding, Port Moody, BC, beat Eagles goalkeeper Simran Meelu, Abbotsford, BC. Meelu and the rest of the KPU squad rallied together and kept Douglas scoreless for the rest of the match. Fast-forward ten minutes and the Eagles were on the board courtesy of a Megan Talaber, North Delta, BC, cross to Lexie Gillette, Chilliwack, BC.
The second half saw a determined and focused Eagles team that created more offensive opportunities, including a shot off the crossbar and multiple shots on net to test Royals goalkeeper Rebecca Mainardi, Maple Ridge, BC. Persistence paid off for KPU in the 74th minute when Talaber netted the game-winner for the Eagles. Both Meelu and Mainardi played all 90 minutes in net for their teams.
KPU head coach Julie King credits the team’s resolve and strength as a unit as the key to today’s win. “After the Douglas goal went in, they didn’t hang their heads and I knew we would score.” she stated, “The intensity, the work ethic, the want, the focus, everything was there today and we realized the benefits. We were strong today because we all did our part and played the role we were supposed to play.”
KPU remains unbeaten on home turf. Tomorrow is the second match of this weekend’s double-header homestand. The Eagles will kick off at noon at Newton Athletic Park against the Langara College Falcons.
For more information on the Department of Athletics & Recreation, please contact Junelle Mah, sports information and marketing, at 604-786-0804 or at junelle.mah@kpu.ca.
The KPU Eagles Department of Athletics & Recreation enters its 14th season of interuniversity competition. The Eagles are members of the PACWEST conference and play in the Canadian College Athletic Association (CCAA) with 100 student-athletes participating on eight varsity teams in men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, badminton and golf. KPU athletics plays its home games at the Eagles’ Nest (Surrey Campus), Northview Golf & Country Club, Newton Athletic Park, all located in Surrey, BC and the Ace Badminton Centre in Richmond, BC. The Eagles are active in the conference with staff members on various advisory committees and competing to host both provincial and national championships. The student-athletes are mainly from the lower mainland but KPU’s rosters have included student-athletes from North America, South America, Asia and Europe.]
Photo Credit: Tree Frog Imaging