The women's Province Cup quarter-final today will feature two of the top teams - Prospect Lake and Saanich Fusion - from the Premier Division of the Lower Island Soccer Association.
Prospect Lake won the league title with 32 points, one more than both Saanich and Gorge United. Today's game is noon at Layritz Turf.
"The team that can dictate their style will win the game,'' said Saanich coach Hugh Williams.
"Prospect Lake like to counter-attack off turnovers, and they are very good at that. We play more of an attacking style.
"Another key part of the game will be the midfield battles. The team that wins more of them and keeps possession of the ball will have a better opportunity of winning.''
Prospect Lake had a first-round bye in the playoffs while Saanich advanced to the quarter-finals with a 4-0 win over TSS Academy. In that game, Catherine Cullen scored all four goals for Saanich.
"Saanich will probably have a slight advantage because they played last week,'' said Prospect Lake assistant coach Jim de Goede. "The core of our team has been together for four years, and this was our first league title. Our team has a lot of unity.
"Saanich is a well-coached team, and we will have to be aware of their attackers. In our last game, it was a 3-3 tie and I'm expecting another close game.''
In the other quarter-finals involving Island teams, Castaways are on the road today against Surrey United, the defending Province and Canadian champions. Gorge meets NSGSC Renegades today at Hampton Park. Game time is 12: 15 p.m. Gorge won the recent Terry Price Cup (city championship) with a 3-1 win over Saanich.
"Our most consistent player this year has been Kelsey Hendrickson,'' said de Goede. "She is very versatile as she can be a midfielder or defender.''
Williams said the teams are very close and Prospect Lake has added experience with players from the Victoria Highlanders' program.
"This is the most talented Prospect Lake team that I have seen,'' said Williams. "This should be a very good battle.''
The Province Cup finals for both the men and the women are scheduled for May 12 at Burnaby. [email protected]
