By Brandon Timko/whitecapsfc.com
Vancouver Whitecaps Prospects Men earned a 4-1 victory over Kamloops Excel SC in the final home match of their Pacific Coast Soccer League season at Simon Fraser University Field #4 on Sunday afternoon.
A first-half brace from Ashley Ankiewicz lead the Prospects to their second win of the season. Riley Newport and Carlos Del Aguila rounded out the scoring for the Whitecaps, while Brett Nordin netted a consolation goal for the visitors.
It was Kamloops that took the early lead, capitalizing on a penalty call three minutes into the match after Ankiewicz collided with an Excel player in the Prospects box. Nordin buried the spot kick to put the visitors up 1-0.
Ankiewicz made up for the penalty on 18 minutes, finishing a breakaway after receiving a superb pass from Ruben Casablanca. The same two players would connect again on 25 minutes, with Ankiewicz roofing a shot into the net to double his tally and put the 'Caps 2-1 in front.
The Prospects were not content with a one-goal advantage and looked poised to double their lead before the break. On 38 minutes, Gavin Barrett had a go from 25 yards out, but his swerving shot wound up in the arms of Kamloops goalkeeper Aaron Kidd. Lucas Barrett then had a chance on 42 minutes, but his quick volley was well saved by Kidd. The Whitecaps hard work would finally pay off a minute before halftime, with Newport firing a shot into the back of the net, sending Bart Choufour’s side into the break with a comfortable 3-1 lead.
Newport nearly had a second goal 10 minutes into the second half after receiving a pinpoint cross from Ankiewicz, but the midfielder could not get his diving header on target.
Kamloops' Casey Cullen looked to cut into the lead on 63 minutes, but would have his shot tipped over the crossbar by Evan Lowther. The 'Caps goalkeeper would come up with another fine save on 77 minutes, robbing Nordin with a spectacular diving effort.
At the other end of the pitch, Kidd was not quite enjoying the match as much as Lowther. The Kamloops keeper would voice his displeasure in the final minute, drawing the ire of the referee and earning a second yellow card, forcing the Excel to put Cullen in net. Del Aguila took advantage of the replacement in the dying stages, blasting home a free kick from 30 yards out to put the icing on a well-deserved 4-1 Prospects victory.
Choufour praised his team’s dominant performance. "We did an excellent job controlling the play," he told whitecapsfc.com. "The communication was much better."
The Prospects Men's next match is this Wednesday night against Athletic Club of BC at the Burnaby Lake Sports Complex. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. PDT.
Whitecaps Prospects Men
Evan Lowther; Kyle Knees, Jerome Lou, Rhys Volkenant, Adam Staschuk (Bryan Cha 65’, Matt Robinson 83’), Curtis Helm (Denny Serifovic 17’), Riley Newport (Carlos Del Aguila 73’), Ruben Casablanca, Ashley Ankiewicz (Adam Staschuk 78’), Gavin Barrett, Lucas Barrett
Kamloops Excel SC
Aaron Kidd; Casey Cullen (Shane Laye 45’), Luke Smith, Tim Unaegbu (Sean Spendlove 23’, Tim Unaegbu 45’), Jason Burrows (Erkut Sonmez 33’, Mark Poulan 45’), Brynden Swint, Chuck Noftall (Casey Cullen 60’), Jamie Spendlove, Stu Jameson (Peter Loncar 45’), Brett Nordin, Kyle Bowman
