Vancouver Whitecaps Prospects Women recorded their second straight PCSL win, as they overpowered host Semiahmoo SC 5-1 at South Surrey Athletic Park on Tuesday evening.
The addition to the line-up of veterans Roslyn Hicks and Kirsteen Buchan brought experience and composure to the young squad. And that, combined with the pace and skill of the younger players, was more than Semiahmoo could handl on the night.
It took a bit of time for the Whitecaps to find their rhythm, but after 20 minutes, things were starting to click and the first casualty was Semiahmoo's offside trap. On 24 minutes, a Hicks pass released Alicia Tesan, who was in all alone from 40 yards out. Tesan had all the time in the world to move in and fire the Whitecaps into the lead.
Four minutes later, and the Semiahmoo defence was caught flat again, with Nikki Wright breaking in and taking it wide of the keeper, only for a defender on the line to save the day. Four minutes after that, it was Buchan's turn to lay on the sweet pass, putting Lauren Hamson in on goal, but the keeper stood up well and blocked the shot with her feet.
The onslaught continued, and on 42 minutes, Buchan flicked the ball to Nikki Wright, who stutter-stepped nicely before slipping it under the onrushing keeper. It was 2-0 at the half, with Semiahmoo's best chances having been a number of powerful long-range shots that Whitecaps keeper Shimone Slomowitz did well to hold.
In the second half, and the Whitecaps almost made it 3-0 at minute 55, as substitute Melissa Bowen hit the underside of the crossbar from in close. Then on 67 minutes, a good first-time shot from Buchan produced a superb diving save from the opposition keeper.
The Whitecaps were made to regret their missed chances though, as the hosts immediately pulled a goal back. On 68 minutes, Veronica Reiss got the ball in space, fought off her marker, and fired it past Slomowitz. Suddenly, the game was much closer than it should have been.
To their credit, the Whitecaps continued to push forward looking for goals, and Semiahmoo were never given much opportunity to complete their comeback bid. And with 10 minutes remaining, the Prospects were rewarded for their endeavour. The opposition keeper fumbled Bowen's cross from the left, and Buchan was right there to restore the two-goal advantage.
The Whitecaps completed the scoring in injury time, with a pair of quick goals. Janine Frazao curled a nice first-time shot inside the far post on the feed from Natalie Boyd. Moments later, Tesan scored her second of the night. Buchan played a nice through ball, which the speedy Tesan beat the keeper to, and then rolled into the empty net.
The Prospects record improves to 2-1-0 in the PCSL Women's Premier Division, while Semiahmoo drop to 0-3-1. The Whitecaps now prepare for their first home game of the season on Sunday, May 25, against Kelowna United at Simon Fraser University Field #4.
Whitecaps Prospects Women - starting line-up v Semiahmoo SC
Shimone Slomowitz; Victoria Gonzalez-Milroy, Chelsea Stang, Brienna Shaw; Alicia Tesan, Natalie Boyd, Roslyn Hicks, Janine Frazao; Kirsteen Buchan, Nikki Wright, Lauren Hamson
