VIU goes 1-1 on the road versus Langara & Capilano

BURNABY / NORTH VANCOUVER - The Mariners showed improvements in a loss to a quality Langara Falcons squad but earned a vital Sunday victory over the Capilano Blues.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24: Langara 2 - VIU 0
Burnaby Lakes
BOX SCORE

The Mariners improved their play considerably from their last matchup against the Falcons--a 3-0 loss where VIU was considerably out-shot--but the hosts from Langara took a 2-0 victory after scoring goals in the 13th and 18th minutes.

"Definitely a step in the right direction for us this weekend," head coach Kevin Lindo said. "It was an improved performance where we felt we could have come away with a result."

The Mariners put six shots on goal in the game to four for the Falcons, with three coming from the boots of Vasilis Bagiopoulos. Both teams earned five corner kicks. Mariners goalkeeper Matteo Chirico stopped two of four shots.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25: VIU 3 - Capilano 2
Mulgrave School
BOX SCORE

With the way the standings are shaping up, the final PACWEST playoff spot might come down to VIU or Capilano. The Mariners made a big step forward in grabbing that spot with a 3-2 win on the home field of the Blues.

"We dominated in difficult conditions, creating many chances," VIU head coach Kevin Lindo said.

 Mariners forward Ori Fisher scored his first goal of the season right before the end of the first half. A Juan Rubiano free kick curled past a two-man wall and right to the foot of Fisher, who made no mistake from directly in front of goal.

Vasilis Bagiopoulos continued to show why he might be the most dangerous attacker in the PACWEST by scoring two goals early in the second half. The first was a beautifully-taken free kick over a four-man wall and directly into the left corner of the net by the diving Blues 'keeper. After the Blues got one back, Bagiopoulos was sprung down the middle of the pitch, executed a fake shot at full speed to twist a defender, and placed a low shot to the bottom left corner of the net.

Capilano scored a late goal, but the Mariners held on for the 3-2 win.

"For 80 minutes, we were top class," Lindo said. "The last ten minutes we showed some poor decision making that we have to work on. All in all, though, we're happy and excited for the next games."

Matteo Chirico picked up the win in the Mariners net with two saves on four shots.

With the win, VIU now sits six points up of Capilano in the league standings. Both teams have six games remaining in the season.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Defender Thomas Greze-Kozuki (Campbell River, B.C.) had a strong weekend anchoring the Mariners backline.

 "[Thomas] had a great weekend, winning many duels and staying composed at the back for us," said head coach Kevin Lindo.

In his first season of PACWEST competition, Greze-Kozuki has been a mainstay on the VIU defence and brought steady play for the full 90 minutes in both games this weekend. "Thomas has improved so much over the last month," Lindo said. "It's a testament to his attitude and work ethic."