It took a little luck but the UVic Vikes menB次元官网网址檚 soccer team escaped with its fifth straight win on Sunday, beating the Lethbridge Pronghorns 1-0 at Centennial Stadium.
The Vikes downed the Calgary Dinos 3-1 on Saturday and are now first in Canada West and havenB次元官网网址檛 lost in 10 games dating back to a 2-1 loss against Trinity Western University on Sept. 10.
Wins over the Saskatchewan Huskies (four wins, six losses and two ties) and Alberta Golden Bears(6-2-4) on the road this weekend would clinch first place for the Vikes (8-2-2), meaning theyB次元官网网址檇 pick up the hosting priveleges for the Canada West Championship, Nov. 5 and 6. The Vikes automatically qualify as hosts of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Championships, Nov. 10 to 13.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e in the mix to win nationals, thereB次元官网网址檚 no reason not to be,B次元官网网址� said Vikes head coach Bruce Wilson. B次元官网网址淏ut itB次元官网网址檚 a very tough Canada West (conference).B次元官网网址�
With fleet-footed Vikes Thomas Mallette and Andrew Ravenhill running freely in LethbridgeB次元官网网址檚 zone, SundayB次元官网网址檚 shutout could have come with a little less stress, Wilson said.
B次元官网网址淲e could have finished on some of (our) chances. A bit of experience comes with these shutouts,B次元官网网址� Wilson said, noting the Pronghorns had many dangerous chances. B次元官网网址淪ometimes, teams in LethbridgeB次元官网网址檚 position (out of the playoffs) are like wounded animals. TheyB次元官网网址檙e most dangerous when they have nothing to play for.B次元官网网址�
Colin Wilson scored the VikesB次元官网网址� only goal against Lethbridge, heading in a corner kick from Wes Barrett near the end of the first half.
But with key veterans Peter Richmond and Jordie Oberg out of the lineup with minor injuries, the close score provided for a few hairy moments against the flow of the play.
One giant lob in the 90th minute arched over Vikes goalkeeper Daniel Kilpatrick and defender Bobby Eng, only to bounce square off the top of the crossbar.
B次元官网网址淣ervous,B次元官网网址� Kilpatrick said about what he felt at the time. B次元官网网址淚t ended up getting between me and the striker. I was (left) hoping it would bounce over the bar.B次元官网网址�
It was the second win of the season for Kilpatrick, a fifth-year student who shares goalie duties with fellow Oak Bay High grad Eliott Mitrou (third-year).
B次元官网网址淲e got the shutout which is all that matters, but hopefully we can get a few goals this weekend to give our back end a bit of a buffer,B次元官网网址� Kilpatrick said.
Kilpatrick is working at a masters in public health and social policy and is one of a few players returning after time away from the Vikes.
Both Richmond and Miguel Romeo missed last season, though Kilpatrick was there as an assistant coach.
Kilpatrick was also a member of the Gorge senior menB次元官网网址檚 team that won silver at the 2010 Canadian national championships.
Richmond and Oberg did not dress on Sunday, nursing minor injuries, but both will travel to the Prairies this weekend, Wilson said.
Wilson gave a nod to David Adams, Cam Hundal, Craig Gorman, and the Barrett brothers, Wes and Gavin, as players whoB次元官网网址檝e come around and are making the Vikes successful.
Rookie shows Elder savvy
Just six months ago Shannon Elder was patrolling midfield for the Claremont Spartans. Her team won the Island championship but fell in the provincial final.
ElderB次元官网网址檚 penchant for big games continued this week as the roookie scored twice in three minutes to lift the Vikes womenB次元官网网址檚 soccer team over the Fraser Valley Cascades 2-1 in Abbotsford on Saturday.
The win keeps the Vikes womenB次元官网网址檚 playoff hopes alive with a record of 6-4-3, tied for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Canada West standings with the Calgary Dinos (6-3-3).
The Vikes host Fraser Valley (3-7-3) at noon tomorrow (Oct. 29) and need a win and some outside luck if theyB次元官网网址檙e to make the Canada West Championship.
Calgary has an extra game to play but also have a tough draw hosting first-place Trinity Western Spartans (10-1-1) and second-place UBC Thunderbirds (9-1-2) this weekend.
