By Larry Pruner -
Vancouver Whitecaps FC tripped the visiting Real Colorado Cougars 2-1 Sunday to keep their women’s soccer playoff hopes alive before 1,317 fans gathered for a rare appearance at Coquitlam’s Percy Perry Stadium.
Kirsteen Buchan netted the winning goal, after assisting on Jodi Ann Robinson’s first-half opener as the ’Caps won for the second straight time.
The teams were knotted 1-1 at halftime in a game which proved critical game for both sides in need of a win to keep pressure on the Seattle Sounders in the W-League Western Conference playoff race.
Whitecaps head coach Alan Koch made no changes from the 4-3-3 formation, which his team employed to defeat the Ventura County Fusion on Canada Day.
Colorado had the better of the early play, although neither side was able to generate a good scoring chance in the first 20 minutes.
Play soon opened up and, 22 minutes in, Colorado forward Beth West tested Sian Bagshawe with a low shot but the Vancouver keeper was equal to it. One minute later, Vancouver opened the scoring, as Buchan did well to hold the ball at the top of the box before dishing it to Robinson. The Canadian international then curled a shot inside the right post from 20 yards. It was the striker Robinson’s seventh goal of the season, and extended her goal-scoring streak to four games.
Colorado drew level at the 27-minute mark off a corner kick. Beth West took the corner on the left and Kellyn Farrell got up well to head in the ball from eight yards out.
