VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy picked up a massive 2-1 win in the second match of a Canada Day doubleheader against Nautsa'mawt FC at Thunderbird Stadium on Saturday.
With a number of graduating players having departed, the 'Caps moved into the second phase of their season with a younger group. But as the inaugural season proved, age is only a number and these players are ready to challenge for the title once more.
Jaime Perrault scored first to get the 'Caps on the board 10 minutes in. After a big run in the Nautsa'mawt half, she slotted it inside the far post to make it 1-0.
After 17 minutes, the 'Caps were awarded a penalty kick. Kierra Blundell stepped up to take it, but Dakota Beckett made the stop to keep it a one goal game.
In the 29th minute, the home side equalized as Jade Taylor Ryan found the left corner.
Undeterred, the 'Caps would find a winner in the second half. After a shot on goal, Calgary's Kaylee Hunter slotted in the rebound to score on her debut.
The 'Caps held on, and are now within a point of Nautsa'mawt FC for first place, with a game in hand.
Next up for the 'Caps is a date with Harbourside FC on Sunday, July 9 at Thunderbird Stadium. Kickoff will be at 12 p.m. PT.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: O-Lin Metz
Scoring summary
10' – VAN – Jaime Perrault
29' – NAU – Jade Taylor Ryan
74' – VAN – Kaylee Hunter
Cautions
12' – VAN – Noelle Sather
Nautsa’mawt FC
1.Dakota Beckett (35.Lita Billman HT); 2.Dani Mosher (14.Nisa Reehal HT) (12.Victoria Marchand 80'), 21.Jacqueline Tyrer ©, 6.Andrea Kraetzer, 30.Olivia Gomez; 29.Janika Sangha (20.Amber Wells 80'), 10.Sophie Damian (22.Sofia Peckenpaugh 80'), 11.Jenna Baxter (25.Bailey Doerksen 70'); 7.Vanessa Tome, 13.Jade Taylor Ryan (9.Danielle Steer HT), 3.Mia Pante
Substitutes not used
None
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite
31.Carly Uchacz; 3.Iba Oching, 16.Ire Omotayo, 20.Keira Martin, 14.Sienna Gibson; 15.Ashley Roberts, 11.Noelle Sather, 21.Jeneva Hernandez-Gray; 12.Jaime Perrault (19.Aja Turner 87'), 9.Kierra Blundell ©, 18.Emma Yee (26.Kaylee Hunter 65')
Substitutes
30.Sidney Venier, 22.Tea Mayson, 24.Keelyn Stewart, 25.Taegan Stewart, 28.Zahra Bains
