The University of the Fraser Valley women's soccer team was unable to translate second-half dominance into production on the scoreboard, ultimately settling for a 1-1 draw with the Victoria Vikes on Saturday evening at MRC Sports Complex.
UFV rookie winger
Katie Lampen opened the scoring in the 12th minute, and UVic's Rachel Baird equalized in the 32nd. The hosts carried the play for the final 45 minutes, but despite numerous chances – the Cascades outshot the Vikes 19-9 – they were unable to solve UVic keeper Puck Louwes down the stretch.
The Cascades' third consecutive tie leaves them at 2-2-4 in Canada West conference play, while the Vikes are 3-2-3.
"It's more disappointing today," said UFV head coach
Rob Giesbrecht, noting the contrast in post-game contentment between Saturday's result and
Friday's 1-1 draw with UBC. "Last night we score late to tie, and today we get out front and then they tie it up. I thought we dominated the second half . . . today's more about two points dropped than a point earned, I think."
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Lampen's early goal was her team-best fourth of the campaign, and marked her third straight game with a goal. Cascades captain
Brittney Zacharuk sent a gorgeous cross from the left, and the Chilliwack product rose between two Vikes defenders to volley it home.
The Cascades continued to press, and Lampen nearly had another, but was unable to make solid contact with another dangerous Zacharuk cross.
The Vikes found more traction as the first half wore on, and they equalized off an Avneet Rai corner. Baird found the ball in the ensuing chaos, and was able to poke it past UFV keeper
Joven Sandhu.
Zacharuk spearheaded the Cascades' second-half surge, generating chances for herself and her teammates. Twice she just missed the top corner – once from the right wing during open play, and once from a free kick just outside the penalty area. Then in the 64th, her volley off
Simi Lehal's cross required a spectacular save from Louwes diving to her left.
The Vikes generated a chance off another Rai corner, but Baird's shot went wide this time. At the other end of the pitch, UFV rookie midfielder
Halle McCambley took a crack at goal from distance, and banged it off the crossbar. Then, in the 90th minute, Lampen got a piece of yet another Zacharuk cross, but Louwes was able to scoop it up.
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"I loved a lot about how we played," Giesbrecht said. "Aside from that final product, it was pretty good in the second half. We created six or seven corners in the second half, we hit the bar, we got players in behind.
"I also liked the grit we have in our back four and our holding mids. They're physically winning a lot of battles, and they're becoming a tough team to play against. I don't think teams enjoy playing against us because of how hard we battle, and those are some young kids in those spots. You have (holding midfielders) Halle and Tavia (Jasper), they're first and second year, and Alanna (Sydenham, another rookie) had a great game at left back. It's just great to see these young kids battle."
Up next for the Cascades is a Friday-Sunday road trip to face the Calgary Dinos and UNBC Timberwolves.
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