VIU vs Langara: Season Openers

Mariners look to take flight versus the Falcons

VIU midfielder Taylor Kinley starts the attack against Langara College in a 2023 game in Nanaimo
VIU midfielder Taylor Kinley starts the attack against Langara College in a 2023 game in Nanaimo. Photo: Mary Kessenich
September 6, 2024

NANAIMO – The VIU Mariners women's soccer team begins its quest to return to the PACWEST playoffs on a 30-degree weekend at home against the Langara College Falcons (Vancouver, BC).

 When & Where

  • Saturday, September 7 at Beban Park Turf Fields, 12:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, September 8 at Q'unq'inuqwstuxw Stadium at Nanaimo District Secondary School, 12:30 p.m.

All VIU soccer games are free to attend. Sunday's game doubles as VIU Soccer Alumni Day with giveaways, prizes, and snacks available for Mariners soccer alumni.

Tune In

Home games will be streamed live on YouTube.

Head-To-Head

VIU's home opener in 2023 was spoiled by a 4-1 loss to Langara. However, the Mariners would end up taking 7 of a possible 9 points from the Falcons the rest of the way from 5-2 and 2-0 victories and a 3-3 tie late in the season. That tie clinched a playoff spot for the Mariners and left the Falcons on the outside looking in.

Watch Out Now

PACWEST all-star Alex Paul returns to the Falcons and is an incredibly dangerous attacker. Defender Grace Jorgenson is in her fourth year and is the most experienced Falcons student-athlete on the Langara roster.

The Mariners return the 2023 PACWEST player of the year in Saki Meshida (Tokyo, Japan). Midfielder Taylor Kinley (Powell River, BC) looks to have a big year in her fifth and final collegiate season, buoyed by experience with Harbourside FC in the summer.

Fresh Faces 

The Mariners feature eight first-year student-athletes on head coach Bobbie Taylor's roster, including backup goalkeepers Mckenna Brown (Langley, BC) and Brooke Ingram (Nanaimo, BC). In addition to a number of strong Nanaimo recruits, Niobe Darku (Yellowknife, NWT) joins the squad after redshirting in 2023 while Nicola Underwood (Kamloops, BC) and Maggie Thurbide (Port Coquitlam, BC) have made the trip to the Island.

Transfers

  • Hannah Wagner (Sequim, WA) joins VIU after two strong seasons with the Peninsula College Pirates (NWAC)
  • Emma Riccardi (Windsor, ON) played two seasons with the St. Clair Saints (OCAA) and was a redshirt with VIU last season.

Fifth Years

Three Mariners will play their final year of varsity eligibility in 2024: midfielders Meshida, Kinley, and Asuka Okabe.

Sister Act

As goalkeeper Brooke Ingram starts her first year with the Mariners program, Courtney Ingram begins her fourth year as vital piece of the Mariners midfield.

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