The Vancouver Island Soccer League regular-season and Jackson Cup champions were beaten 2-1 in overtime by Croatia FC of Surrey in the quarter-finals of the Province Cup over the weekend at Sherman Road in Duncan.
The table seemed to be set nicely this year with a seeding that assured every game at home through to potentially making the final May 14, also on the Island, at Westhills Stadium in Langford.
Cowichan FC was left to rue a game it dominated early but which turned the other way to Croatia. The hosts Cowichan missed three splendid opportunities to score in the first half. But the pressure eventually paid off in the second half with a goal by Keevan Webb at 79 minutes. That should have been enough with 11 minutes remaining. But Croatia levelled at 85 minutes and looked to have clinched it with a goal three minutes later that was ruled off-side. That required the need for two overtime periods of 15 minutes each, in which Croatia scored the winner at 102 minutes.
鈥淲e came out hard to get the early goal and created three really good chances, but unfortunately, were unable to connect. At this point of the playdowns, against good teams, you have to take your chances when you get them,鈥� said Tyler Hughes, the Cowichan FC veteran defender and playing assistant coach.
鈥淸Croatia] is a strong team and slowly played its way back into the game. But still, we led 1-0 late and couldn鈥檛 seal the deal,鈥� added Hughes. 鈥淚t was disappointing.鈥�
The other remaining Island team, Nanaimo United, was also taken down in the Province Cup quarter-finals over the weekend 5-0 by Pegasus in Vancouver.
The Island, however, remained alive in the U-21 Province Cup with the Mid- Island Mariners blanking North Delta 1-0 on a goal in overtime by Billy Bagiopoulos. The Mariners advance to meet EDC of Burnaby in the semifinals.
UVic Alumni carry Island hopes in Masters after downing West Vancouver 4-2 in the quarter-finals on two goals by Toby Vallance and one each from Dean Anderson and Jason Owen. UVic Alumni will host Metro Ford of Coquitlam in the semifinals. Metro Ford beat Saanich Fusion 3-0.
There also remains a hope for an Island representative in the women鈥檚 Province Cup final, which will be played May 15 at Westhills Stadium. The Terry Price Cup Lower Island-champion Castaway Highlanders defeated Victoria Athletics 4-2 to advance to a semifinal date with the North Shore Renegades.
The Coquitlam Metro Ford Extreme blanked Prospect Lake 1-0 in another quarter-final game.
