Nanaimo United was able to accomplish a feat theyB次元官网网址檝e never done before B次元官网网址� repeat as Jackson Cup champions.
Nanaimo United FCB次元官网网址檚 Div. 1 men won the Vancouver Island Soccer League championship on Saturday, March 26, in Langford, defeating Bays United 2-1 in extra time.
Nanaimo led 1-0 on an early goal from Colin Jacques, but Bays tied it in the second half. It took until almost the very end of overtime B次元官网网址� the 118th minute B次元官网网址� before Alex Dedame struck home Taylor ArbourB次元官网网址檚 pass for the go-ahead goal. Keeper Geoff Hackett was called upon for one more save in the dying moments and then the final whistles sounded.
B次元官网网址淚t was a battle. We really needed our togetherness,B次元官网网址� said Kevin Lindo, the teamB次元官网网址檚 coach.
His team expected a test against Bays, a well-coached side with talented players who work hard. A tough opponent plus the nerves of a championship game made things challenging in the final.
B次元官网网址淚 think the occasion kind of took over and we didnB次元官网网址檛 play the positive, free-flowing soccer that we wanted to, but we were able to execute some of the game plan off the ball and then it was just down to the will and desire of the guys,B次元官网网址� Lindo said.
Nanaimo UnitedB次元官网网址檚 Div. 1 men had already shown their determination in reaching the final. They finished in second place in league play but the cup draw did them no favours.
B次元官网网址淭he run to the cup has been very difficult, probably one of our hardest,B次元官网网址� Lindo said. B次元官网网址淲e havenB次元官网网址檛 had any home [matches], itB次元官网网址檚 all been down in Victoria and every one of themB次元官网网址檚 been an absolute battle, down to the wire.B次元官网网址�
Nanaimo also won the Jackson Cup in 2019-20, then the 2020-21 season was wiped out due to COVID-19. Lindo said the squad has enough veterans to know that winning one Vancouver Island championship is rare and special, let alone two straight.
B次元官网网址淎 number of guys have been with the team, some of them playing anywhere between 10 and 20 years,B次元官网网址� the coach said. B次元官网网址淲e have a core group of guys who have been doing it and thatB次元官网网址檚 quite unique.B次元官网网址�
But thereB次元官网网址檚 young talent, too, such as the rookie and cup hero Dedame. WhatB次元官网网址檚 more, Nanaimo UnitedB次元官网网址檚 U21 side won the VISLB次元官网网址檚 George Smith Cup U21 championship earlier in the day on Saturday in Langford with a 4-3 win against Lakehill FC.
B次元官网网址淭he future is very bright for Nanaimo,B次元官网网址� Lindo said.
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