By Brandon Timko/whitecapsfc.com
Vancouver Whitecaps Prospects Men completed a three-match home stand in disappointing fashion following a 2-1 defeat to Khalsa Sporting Club on a cold Tuesday evening at Simon Fraser University.
A second-half strike from Meysam Soltani gave the visitors all three points at SFU's Terry Fox Field. Gary Anderson also netted a goal for the Coquitlam-based club, while Gavin Barrett scored a consolation goal for the Whitecaps.
Khalsa opened the scoring on 14 minutes when a Mike Brkich free kick was headed in by Anderson to give Khalsa a 1-0 lead.
The 'Caps looked to respond on 24 minutes when Lucas Barrett found Harry Lakhan in the Khalsa box, but his hard shot flew wide of the net. The 'Caps, however, would get on the scoresheet a minute later when Gavin Barrett blocked a clearance by Khalsa goalkeeper Rowen Anders, allowing him to easily slot the ball into an open net for 1-1.
The goal seemed to spark Bart Choufour's side, as five minutes after drawing level, Lucas Barrett sent brother Gavin in on net, but his shot hit Anders straight in the chest.
Khalsa were quick to regain the momentum, with Anderson having a swerving shot well saved by a diving Simon Thomas on 32 minutes, as the Whitecaps Residency keeper earned the start in goal for the Prospects.
Few chances materialized for the rest of the half, as the teams went to the break deadlocked at 1-1.
The 'Caps were a given a scare on 55 minutes when Lucas Barrett clashed heads with a Khalsa defender. He was on the ground for several minutes before walking off the pitch, and would remain on the sidelines the rest of the match.
The Whitecaps were then put in a tough situation when a controversial back pass to Thomas was blown down on 65 minutes - thus giving Khalsa a free kick only four out yards from goal. Soltani managed to bury his set piece into the top corner of the Prospects net for 2-1, despite nearly the entire 'Caps squad lining up along their goal line to defend the free kick.
The visitors nearly doubled their lead on 75 minutes when a Milad Mehrabi shot deflected off defender Erik Hacker and hit the inside of the crossbar before bouncing back into play.
The Whitecaps had one last chance deep into time added on, as Gavin Barrett cut into the Khalsa box before striking a shot well wide of the target. Neither side would threaten again, as Khalsa held on for the 2-1 victory. "In the first half, we were a bit rushed, but after we scored the goal, I think that gave us a little bit of confidence," Choufour told whitecapsfc.com. "The game was decided on a tough call, but that's how it goes sometimes."
The Prospects Men's next Pacific Coast Soccer League match comes Friday night at UBC’s Todd Field, as they take on Vancouver Thunderbirds. Kick off is at 7:30 p.m. PDT.
Whitecaps Prospects Men
Simon Thomas; Rhys Volkenant, Paul Bahia, Ashley Ankiewicz (Cameron Parkes 74’), Kyle Knees (Ruben Casablanca 62’), Curtis Helm (Carlos Del Aguila 80’), Harry Lakhan, Erik Hacker, Riley Newport, Gavin Barrett, Lucas Barrett (Jerome Lou 58’)
Khalsa Sporting Club
Rowen Anders (Darius Motazed 45’); Kevon Cameron, Herman Sidhm, Joey Brar, Gary Anderson, Miso Rakita, Nico Marcina, Mike Brkich, Meysam Soltani, Milad Mehrabi, Chris Craveiro
