The Victoria Highlanders had hoped to clinch a playoff spot on Friday night in Vancouver, but the Whitecaps U-23 side had other ideas. Making their own postseason bid, the Whitecaps played Victoria to a 1-1 draw at UBC Thunderbird Stadium. Vancouver also retained the Juan de Fuca Shield on goal differential, as each team recorded a win, loss, and tie in their three-game series.
The point ensures the Highlanders (7-1-2) remained neck and neck with the Portland Timbers for top spot in the Northwest Division of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League but will need a few more points to secure a playoff berth.
Victoria travels to Portland on Sunday to face the Timbers U-23. The Timbers were in second place, two points back of Victoria in the Northwest Division, before playing the Washington Crossfire on Friday.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e just both very good good teams to play against,鈥� Highlanders coach Steve Simonson said heading into the weekend. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e the types of teams we want to play, because it鈥檚 a good test.鈥�
With both Victoria (7-1-2) and Vancouver (5-4-2), known for their explosive ability to score, the teams exchanged chances in the first half. The Whitecaps drew blood in the 23rd minute, when Sasa Plavsic picked up his first goal of the season, beating Victoria goalkeeper Elliot Mitrou.
鈥淭hey have a ton of talent,鈥� Highlanders captain Tyler Hughes said, before the game. 鈥淭hey are exceptional players, and they鈥檙e very good at going forward.鈥�
The Whitecaps protected their lead, but not for long. Hughes got the ball to Brett Levis down the middle, and Levis鈥檚 eighth of the year had everything locked up by halftime.
In the second half, 鈥機aps goalkeeper Marco Carducci came up big, and the Highlanders were unable to capitalize when Niall Cousens, one of Vancouver鈥檚 top scorers, was red-carded in the 73rd minute.
Looking ahead, the road doesn鈥檛 get any easier for the Highlanders. The Timbers are all-around tough, and up to Friday鈥檚 night, they鈥檇 given up a scant four goals.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e going to be stingy,鈥� Simonson said.
Cornerkicks: The Peninsula Co-op Highlanders premier women (6-1-2) are looking to notch their sixth straight victory today, against the Vancouver Whitecaps (11-1-0) in Pacific Coast Soccer League action. Game time is 2 p.m. at Tyndall Park.
