Mariners Rebound After Langara Loss to Grab a Point vs Douglas

BURNABY / COQUITLAM - The Mariners followed up a tough loss to a dynamic Langara Falcons squad with a gutsy performance against the Douglas Royals.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17: Langara 3 - VIU 0
Swangard Stadium
BOX SCORE

The Langara Falcons were on guard at Swangard and didn't allow the Mariners to get any momentum in their first road game of 2022.

The Falcons, who are hosting this year's CCAA Men's Soccer National Championship, outshot the Mariners 20-4 (9-2 shots on target) and controlled the pace throughout the game. VIU head coach Kevin Lindo admitted that the game was "a bad day at the office."

"We were completely outmatched by a good Langara team," Lindo admitted. "Lots of learning to be done!"

A tough penalty call in the box led to a Langara penalty kick goal to open the scoring in the 19th minute, and Taku Ota doubled the Falcons lead seven minutes later. A 51st-minute goal from Yuto Kimera finished the scoring for the Falcons. 

Mariners goalkeeper Kevin Picard stopped six of nine shots in the loss.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18: VIU 1 - Douglas 1
Cunnings Field
No box score online at press time

After a tough loss against Langara and after allowing a fifth-minute goal to the Royals, the Mariners dug in deep and came out of the weekend with a point after a comeback tie with Douglas College.

"Sunday was a tremendous response," VIU head coach Kevin Lindo said. "After conceding early, we went on to dominate the game aginst a talented Douglas team."

In the 61st minute, the Mariners "worked the give and go to perfection" as per commentator Ryan Watters. On the break, Vasilis Bagiopoulos took a return pass and scored on a quick and deceptive low shot to the bottom-right of the Royals net. The goal--his third of the season--put Bagiopoulos into a three-way tie at the top of the PACWEST goal scoring list.

Head coach Kevin Lindo called the play an "excellent goal in transition" and felt the Mariners had good chances to go on and win the game. However, both teams held throughout the rest of the second half.

Mariners starting goalkeeper Kevin Picard was issued a red card late in the second half and Matteo Chirico held the Royals at bay for the rest of the game. 

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Kwasun Cook-Thomas was lauded for his leadership and for stepping into an unfamiliar centre back position on Sunday, earning him the nod as VIU men's soccer Athlete of the Week.

"Kwas showed grit and quality when we needed it in both games," Lindo said. "It was an all-round excellent weekend for him, and he's a great team player."

UP NEXT

The Mariners head back overseas next weekend for two more road games against Lower Mainland opponents.

Saturday, September 24 - VIU (1-1-2) vs Langara (2-0-1)
Burnaby Lake Sports Complex West - 11 a.m.

Sunday, September 25 - VIU vs Capilano (0-3-1)
Mulgrave School - 3:45 p.m.

For more information, please contact Matt Carter, VIU Mariners Communications & Sports Information Coordinator.