By Alan Douglas/whitecapsfc.com
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Prospects Women continued their quest for a perfect season in the Pacific Coast Soccer League (PCSL), as they made it an even dozen wins with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Coquitlam Metro-Ford Xtreme at Simon Fraser University Field #4 on Tuesday evening.
Goals late in each half by Maryse Reichgeld and Nikki Ambrose proved to be the difference, while Whitecaps goalkeepers Ally Williamson and Gurveen Clair had little to do in sharing the shutout.
The Xtreme had the first chance, as Ari Adams sent a header straight into the arms of Williamson just four minutes in. It would be the visitors' best shot on goal in the match.
Coquitlam are very good at nullifying their opposition, applying high pressure and battling hard for every ball. This, combined with a referee who seemed to enjoy the sound of his own whistle, produced a game with little flow, and the Whitecaps unable to find their rhythm for long stretches.
It was not until 36 minutes that Vancouver produced a good opening. A quick counter-attack yielded a three-on-one break, as Jaclyn Sawicki played it to Jenna Richardson, who teed it up from 15 yards, but cracked it off the crossbar. It would be a frustrating game for Richardson, who on any other day, might have scored a hat-trick.
The Prospects finally opened their account in the half's penultimate minute. Natalie Boyd slipped the ball ahead to Reichgeld in the box on the left and she fired into the bottom corner for her third goal of the season.
The 'Caps were up 1-0 at the half.
The Prospects controlled play to start the second half, but could make little headway.
Richardson almost had a breakaway on the hour mark, but Xtreme goalkeeper Aja Aguirre was out quickly, and bravely smothered the ball at the forward's feet.
On 73 minutes, Richardson controlled a long ball in the box, but Aguirre again reacted quickly and deflected the shot wide with her feet. From the corner kick, the Xtreme goalkeeper did well to push wide a header from Erin Uchacz, with Richardson right on top of her.
On 82 minutes, Sawicki found Richardson in the box. She turned superbly, but drilled her shot just wide of the post. Sawicki was playing a great game, and minutes later, danced down the right to again set up Richardson, but the shot was blocked.
It was a case of 'better late than never' for Vancouver's 90th minute insurance goal. Great work by Tessa Meyer saw her weave her way from the right wing to centre before slipping the ball ahead to Ambrose in the box. The left fullback had been full of running in the game, and deservedly buried the chance for her fifth goal of the season.
The game's last opportunity fell to Richardson, as Abigail Phillips sent her in on goal, but Aguirre again came out and blocked the shot, as the match ended in a 2-0 Whitecaps win.
Vancouver's record is now 12W-0L-0D, with just four games left in the PCSL Premier Division regular season. The Xtreme fall to 3W-8L-1D.
The Prospects next league match is against NSGSC Eagles on Tuesday, July 6, at North Vancouver's Confederation Turf. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. PT.
Scoring summary:
44' - VAN - Maryse Reichgeld
90' - VAN - Nikki Ambrose
Whitecaps Prospects Women
27.Ally Williamson (1.Gurveen Clair 45'); 15.Nikki Ambrose, 16.Erin Uchacz, 4.Sydney Morrison (3.Tori Uhl 45'), 18.Katie Turney (9.Taylor Shannik 73'); 11.Kendra Williams (23.Tessa Meyer 31'), 29.Natalie Boyd, 6.Jaclyn Sawicki; 9.Taylor Shannik (2.Jenna Richardson 31'), 20.Nikki Wright (17.Abigail Phillips 45'), 7.Maryse Reichgeld (25.Nicole Segovia 64')
