SQUAMISH, BC - VIU Mariners women's soccer finished fourth at the 2024 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Soccer National Championship.
The Mariners went 2-2 over the four-day tournament. They started the tournament with a 1-0 defeat to the eventual gold medallists from Montmorency but rebounded to take down the MCAC champion Brandon Bobcats 8-0 and the ACAC champion Concordia Thunder 4-1. In the bronze medal match, the Mariners allowed a 9th-minute goal to PACWEST rival and host Capilano Blues and couldn't break down the Capilano defense over the remainder of a rain-filled match.
After the tournament, Tori Hauptman and Olivia Guild were named CCAA Tournament All-Stars. The Mariners were also awarded the CCAA Exemplary Leadership Award.
Mariners forward Tori Hauptman accepts the CCAA Exemplary Leadership Award on behalf of her team and is also named a CCAA Tournament All-Star. Defender Olivia Guild was also named a tournament all-star. Photos: Paul Yates / Vancouver Sports Pictures
November 8, 2024: Bronze Quarterfinal Recap (Courtesy Capilano/CCAA)
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VIU 4 - Concordia 1
The VIU Mariners continued their romp through the backdoor side of the tournament bracket with a 4-1 win over the Concordia-Edmonton Thunder Friday afternoon. After dropping a 1-0 decision to Montmorency on Day 1, the Mariners have defeated their next two opponents by a combined 12-1 count, including Friday's victory that included a pair from Tori Hauptman.
VIU pressed the agenda from kickoff and opened the scoring with Hauptman's first of the game in the 14th minute after some good setup work by Olivia Guild. Saki Meshida followed just eight minutes later, and Hauptman completed her brace just past the half-hour mark, putting VIU in command going to the second half. The Mariners possession and skill prevented CUE from mounting much of an attack and they added to their cushion when Emma Thornton made it 4-0 with about 15 minutes to go.
Emma Thornton (L) gets a hug and goes airborne after scoring a goal in the CCAA bronze semifinal versus Concordia. Photo: Paul Yates/Vancouver Sports Pictures
CUE made a goalie switch at halftime, substituting Taytum Busch for Madison Kempster but brought Kempster on as an attacking player late in the match and it paid off as she broke VIU's bid for a clean sheet when she scored with two minutes remaining. The Thunder got no closer than that.
Tori Hauptman - VIU's Player of the Game versus Concordia. Photo: Paul Yates
4imprint Players of the Game:
CUE – Emma Ward
VIU – Tori Hauptman
November 9, 2024: Bronze Recap (Courtesy Capilano/CCAA)
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Capilano 1 - VIU 0
The Capilano Blues ascended to the CCAA Women's Soccer podium for the first time in 23 years, winning the bronze medal with a 1-0 win over PACWEST rival Vancouver Island University Saturday afternoon in Squamish.
The Blues used the same formula for success as they did on Friday when they defeated Seneca by the same score; an early goal, headed home by Mya Fraser on a set piece curled to the front of the area by Michaela Salvino, proved to be the game-winner. It was the final game of a sterling five-year Blues career for Fraser. On Saturday, once again, Capilano had a great deal of time to kill until the final whistle but effectively did so by packing the area in front of their goal, disrupting VIU's passing attempts and blocking shots. When balls did get through to Amaya Salvino, they were generally from distance and the keeper was able to calmly smother them.
VIU forward Jade Dillabough fights for space against the Capilano Blues defence. Photo: Paul Yates / Vancouver Sports Pictures
VIU pushed their formation forward as time ticked down and one of the best Mariners chances came in the 73rd minute when Emma Thornton blasted a turnaround first-touch shot that just cleared the crossbar. Early in the five minutes of added time, Emma Riccardi made a threatening run down the left side but her shot glanced away off a Blues defender. The ensuing corner kick was cleared and a last-chance free kick from distance by Hannah Rose came in low and was stifled by Capilano bodies in the box. The bronze is the first medal for Blues women's soccer since 2001 when they won gold in Medicine Hat.
Saturday's meeting was the sixth of the season between the Blues and Mariners and the first win for Capilano after two losses and three draws. Capilano ends the nationals with a 3-1 record, more wins than they had in a regular season which consisted of two wins, six draws and four losses.
VIU defender Mya Creed is recognized as VIU's Player of the Game after the CCAA bronze game. Photo: Paul Yates / Vancouver Sports Pictures
4imprint Players of the Game
Capilano – Isabella Bolognese
VIU – Mya Creed
