On Sunday, the Cermaq Outlaws women’s soccer team traveled to Victoria to play the LakeHill Reds Division 1 team in the Women’s Open B Provincial Cup Quarterfinals.
The first half play was a bit sloppy but saw the two teams trade several scoring chances. The Reds came close to scoring 10 minutes into the game with a long range shot that was deflected wide of the post by the diving Outlaws goal keeper, Hayley Craddock.
The Reds’ physical play combined with some nervous play by the Outlaws and resulted in several LakeHill corner kicks, one of which was cleared off the line by veteran Outlaw defender Candy Furtado-Prokopchuk near the 30 minute mark, saving what would be the Reds last real scoring opportunity of the game.
After the halftime break, the Campbell River side settled in and played with much more composure. With much improved passing and support play, the Cermaq Outlaws carried the bulk of the play in the second half. However, some great play by LakeHill’s central defenders kept the game scoreless until the 65-minute mark when Marika Pohesn managed to run on to a ball played through the middle and slide the ball passed a helpless keeper into the Red’s net.
Desperate play by LakeHill after the Outlaw’s goal failed to produce any real hope of a tying goal and the Outlaw’s second goal by Heather Christie near the 80 minute mark all but sealed the Outlaw’s berth into the Provincial B Cup Semifinals.
With the 2-0 victory over LakeHill, the Cermaq Outlaws earned the right to host the semifinal game which will see them play Dasmesh United on Sunday May 7 at 3 p.m. on the Robron Turf. Dasmesh United plays in the Select Division in Vancouver and beat Vancouver United 3-2 to advance to play the Cermaq Outlaws. The Sunday match up should make for some entertaining quality soccer with the winner advancing to the Open B Cup Final in Vancouver on May 13.