By Alan Douglas/whitecapsfc.com
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Prospects Women completed their Pacific Coast Soccer League (PCSL) regular season campaign with a perfect 16W-0L-0D record after a 3-1 home win over second-place Victoria Highlanders FC at Simon Fraser University Field #4 on Sunday afternoon.
The Whitecaps opened scoring early. Just three minutes in, Jenna Richardson fed a perfectly weighted through ball for Nikki Wright breaking in alone, and while the Highlanders goalkeeper Tanya Jones made the stop, Wright fired the loose ball into the open net.
The Prospects were maintaining possession with considerable style, but Victoria are a dangerous side, and a one-goal lead never looked secure. Vancouver came close to finding an insurance marker on 35 minutes when a good shot by Jaclyn Sawicki was superbly saved by Jones. Minutes later, Jones again made the grab on a powerful blast by Sawicki.
The home side doubled their lead on 41 minutes, as Natalie Boyd played a great ball ahead to Richardson, who accelerated into the clear. She dribbled past Jones before firing into the empty net. It was Richardson's 12th goal of the season, putting her level with Abigail Raymer for the team scoring lead.
The visitors responded immediately, however. Just a minute later, Whitecaps goalkeeper Ally Williamson fumbled a driven cross, and the ball fell to Paige Scott, who drove it into the unguarded net.
The Whitecaps led 2-1 at halftime.
The second half was similar to the first, fast paced and entertaining, with Victoria doing what they could to shut down Vancouver's slick passing game.
The Whitecaps came close on the hour mark, as Maryse Reichgeld broke down the right flank and played it inside for Richardson in close to the right of goal. She did well to dribble past Jones, but then had her shot blocked on the goal line by a Highlanders defender.
Vancouver then scored on a beautifully worked attack down the right on 69 minutes. Richardson touched it wide to Tessa Meyer, who played it back inside for Richardson, and this time when the keeper came to challenge, the Whitecaps forward squared it for Reichgeld to fire home. It was Reichgeld's eighth goal of the season, and extended her scoring streak to five matches.
The visitors created some chances, but not enough to trouble Gurveen Clair, who had taken over in the Vancouver goal.
At the other end, the Prospects came close to adding to their lead. On 82 minutes, Boyd did well to steal possession before bending in a superb through ball with the outside of her boot. It found Katie Turney charging into the box, but Jones got a piece of the shot. From the ensuing corner, a header from Erin Uchacz was blocked on the goal line, with the 'Caps defender then firing the rebound straight at Jones.
It ended 3-1, which meant Victoria finished the season in second place at 12W-3L-1T. The Whitecaps, meanwhile, set new PCSL records in women's play for most wins in a season at 16, most goals at 87, and greatest goal difference at plus 77. The only other team to post a perfect PCSL Premier Women's season was the 2007 Whitecaps Reserves at 14W-0L-0D.
Next up for the Prospects is the four-team Challenge Cup playoffs, as the Whitecaps look to defend the Dave Fryatt Challenge Cup title they won last year. The matches will be held at Town Centre Park in Coquitlam, BC, over the upcoming weekend of July 24 and 25, with the Prospects facing hosts Coquitlam Metro-Ford Xtreme in one of two semifinals on Saturday. Kickoff from Town Centre East is set for 2 p.m. PT, with Victoria taking on third-place Fraser Valley Action in Saturday's other semi at 4 p.m. PT. The final is set for Sunday afternoon at Town Centre West at 2:30 p.m. PT.
Click here for more information regarding the 2010 PCSL Challenge Cup tournament.
Scoring summary:
3' - VAN - Nikki Wright
41' - VAN - Jenna Richardson
42' - VIC - Paige Scott
69' - VAN - Maryse Reichgeld
Whitecaps Prospects Women
27.Ally Williamson (1.Gurveen Clair 45'); 25.Nicole Segovia (Kendra Williams 45'), 16.Erin Uchacz, 3.Tori Uhl, 21.Vanessa Kovacs; 6.Jaclyn Sawicki (Abigail Raymer 84'), 29.Natalie Boyd, 23.Tessa Meyer, 18.Katie Turney (Taylor Shannik 45', 18.Katie Turney 79'); 20.Nikki Wright (7.Maryse Reichgeld 34'), 2.Jenna Richardson
