When the game is on the line in soccer, always go with the proven foot.
Which is exactly what Victoria Highlanders鈥� coach Dave Dew did Sunday at Centennial Stadium when awarded a penalty kick at 90 minutes, after attacking-midfielder Cam Hundal was pulled down in the box to be denied a clear chance at net.
Dew pointed to former Finnish Premiership and Germany second-division pro Riley O鈥橬eill to take the penalty kick. The former FIFA U-20 World Cup player for sa国际传媒, and Kentucky Wildcats NCAA alumnus, made no mistake to give the Highlanders a 2-1 USL Premier Development League victory at the death over the Washington Crossfire.
鈥淚 was screaming across the field for Riley to take the shot. It鈥檚 that veteran experience you want,鈥� said Dew.
Chris Rushworth from the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns took a pass from Keevan Webb from the University of Victoria Vikes to make it 1-0 for the Highlanders at seven minutes. The Crossfire levelled at 70 minutes off a corner kick.
Nolan Wirth from the Comox Valley, heading into his junior NCAA year in the Pac-12 with the Oregon State Beavers, was in goal for the Highlanders. Wirth will work out with the Vancouver Whitecaps this week before returning to the Victoria camp.
The result left Victoria and the Crossfire both at 3-4-4 in the PDL Northwest Division. The Highlanders, Crossfire and Lane United (3-2-4) of Eugene, Oregon, are currently tied for the third and final playoff position with 13 points each, although Lane United retains two games in hand on both Victoria and Washington.
Seattle Sounders U-23 and Calgary Foothills FC are both on 21 points atop the table. The Sounders, who are in Victoria next Sunday to play the Highlanders, hold a game in hand on Calgary.
The Kitsap Pumas and Portland Timbers U-23 are at the foot of the table with seven and six points, respectively.
