Preview: Mariners look to tighten their grip on a playoff spot with games vs Douglas & Capilano
COQUITLAM/WEST VANCOUVER - With four home games remaining against the conference's top two teams, VIU will look to pocket some important points on the road this weekend against Douglas and Capilano.
Saturday, October 1: VIU (2-2-2) vs Douglas (2-0-3)
The Mariners will take on an undefeated Royals side as both teams look to build off of key wins on September 25: VIU over Capilano and Douglas over Langara.
WHEN & WHERE
Saturday, October 1st at Coquitlam Towncentre, 3:30 p.m.
TUNE IN
YouTube via PACWEST.TV.
NET GAINS
First-year goalkeeper Matteo Chirico looks to get the start as Kevin Picard sits his third game of a three game suspension following a red card given in VIU's previous game against Douglas.
Royals 'keeper Jacob McCall has appeared in four of the Royals's five games and has allowed 7 goals.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
VIU and Douglas tied 1-1 on September 18. These teams will play twice in Nanaimo on October 15 & 16.
WATCH OUT NOW
VIU's Vasilis Bagiopoulos sits atop the PACWEST scoring lead with five goals in six games. Defender Thomas Greze-Kozuki was named VIU men's soccer Athlete of the Week after a strong and steady performance in the Mariners backline.
For the Royals, Matteo Falcone leads the team in scoring (three goals in four games) while Riku Suga was named PACWEST Men's Soccer Athlete of the Week for his play last weekend.
Sunday, October 2: VIU vs Capilano (0-5-2)
A VIU victory over Capilano would go a long way to ensuring a PACWEST playoff spot for the Mariners. Coming into the weekend, the Mariners held a six-point advantage over the Blues for third spot in the conference and both teams will have four game remaining after this matchup.
WHEN & WHERE
Saturday, October 2nd at Mulgrave School, 3:45 p.m. This will also be the site of the PACWEST Soccer Championships, October 29-30.
TUNE IN
YouTube via PACWEST.TV.
NET GAINS
Blues goalkeeper Kia Ahmadpour has allowed the most goals in the conference so far this season but he started off with two excellent games againt VIU, earning him conference athlete of the week honours in the first week of the season.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
VIU has gone 2-0-1 versus Capilano this season, but one of those wins was by forfeit as the Blues dressed an ineligible player.
WATCH OUT NOW
First-year forward Adam Majuerae has hit the back of the net three times this season, leading the Blues.