The University of Victoria Vikes women's soccer team overcame the steady downpour and the soggy field at Centennial Stadium on Saturday to claim a spot in the sa国际传媒 West Final Four.
The Vikes defeated the Fraser Valley Cascades 3-0 in the quarter-final playoff game and will now travel to Trinity Western on Friday and Saturday for the Final Four. Trinity Western, seeded No. 1 in sa国际传媒 West, knocked off the Manitoba Bisons 2-0 Friday to earn home field for the Final Four.
With water pooling in the middle of the field and the players slipping and sliding, the teams were scoreless after the first half.
Early in the game, UVic striker Emma Greig shot just wide of Fraser Valley goalkeeper Chantelle Bia-gioni.
Near the end of the first half, Fraser Valley's Carly Neeson ripped the ball off the crossbar.
UVic veteran Janelle Smith, a second-half substitution, opened the scoring in the 58th minute after a corner kick by Lindsay Hoetzel.
"We have been working on corners all week," said Smith. "I just tried to make sure that I was in a good position and I was able to get a garbage goal.
"The field was atrocious and we just tried to play smart by using our wingers and stay away from the middle."
In the 81st minute, Jana Yates gave UVic a 2-0 cushion when she banged in a rebound. Biagioni made a great diving save off the initial shot by Greig but the rebound went right to Yates, who made no mistake.
Three minutes later, Greig tallied her 15th goal of the season on a header.
"I love playing in the rain but not in this type of a downpour," said UVic's Jaclyn Sawicki. "I was probably carrying a couple of extra pounds around. It did take us awhile to adjust to the field and the weather but we did play a strong game.
"In the second half, especially the last 20 minutes, we pushed our game to another level and fought hard to get the result that we deserved."
As the host team, the Vikes have already locked up a spot for the nationals, Nov. 8-11 at Centennial Stadium but coach Tracy David is happy that the team is still playing.
"I was pleased with our effort tonight," said David. "We want to be sa国际传媒 West champions. The experience of playing these playoff games can only help us at the nationals.
"I thought that our team managed the conditions pretty well. When it is raining, it favours the attacking team. We had some trouble dribbling the ball but then we started going up top and I was surprised by how much success we did have."
? In the men's game, which was moved to a turf field, the Winnipeg Wesmen blanked the Vikes 2-0. Adam Bromley and Ralph Tolosa scored for Winnipeg.
As the third-place finisher in the Pacific Division with a record of 6-6-2, the Vikes advance to the Final Six which starts Thursday in Edmonton.
