By Alan Douglas/whitecapsfc.com
Vancouver Whitecaps Prospects Women ran their Pacific Coast Soccer League (PCSL) record to 7W-0L-0D with another explosive performance atop Burnaby Mountain, as they posted a 9-2 victory over winless TSS Academy on a soggy Tuesday night at Simon Fraser University Field #4. Forward Nikki Wright, in her first match of the PCSL season, netted three goals to lead the onslaught.
Vancouver struck early, as just four minutes in, Jenna Di Nunzio stripped a defender of the ball to break in alone and beat TSS goalkeeper Nimmie Banipal. It was the striker's fifth goal of the season.
The visitors though battled back. On 25 minutes, Chiaria Quadri broke in on goal and was tripped, earning a penalty kick. From the spot, Quadri then beat 'Caps goalkeeper Ally Williamson to level the score.
Wright came close on 38 minutes with a hard shot that Banipal pushed against the crossbar. A minute later though, the keeper was beaten after a driven corner kick from Maryse Reichgeld was headed in by Erin Uchacz right in front of the TSS goal.
The Prospects were up 2-1 at the break.
The home side picked up the pace in the second half, and with the rain pouring down, were rewarded with a deluge of goals, scoring seven in a span of 32 minutes.
On 47 minutes, another great corner from Reichgeld found Tessa Meyer, who got up well to head in her first of the season.
Five minutes later, Wright fed it ahead to Jenna Richardson in the box, and she turned nicely before drilling it home.
On 60 minutes, Reichgeld struck the woodwork, as her close-range drive from the left hit the keeper's foot and the post. Moments later, the midfielder made a great run down the left, taking it to the byline before cutting it across for Wright to score and make it 5-1.
On 70 minutes, Prospects keeper Williamson came out of her box to clear the ball. She booted it long, where Richardson got goal-side of her marker and smashed a shot home for her second of the night and eighth of the season.
TSS pulled a goal back four minutes later, as Lindsey Briggs beat the Whitecaps offside trap to break in alone and make it 6-2.
The Whitecaps responded instantly and emphatically. On 76 minutes, Jen Castillo threaded it through for Wright, who placed it inside the far post. A minute later, Kendra Williams found Wright in front and she took a touch before blasting a shot in to complete her hat-trick.
The Prospects saved the best goal for last. On 79 minutes, they worked as pretty a two-on-two as you'll see at any level. With the deftest of touches, Jaclyn Sawicki slipped it ahead for Richardson, who returned the favour with an equally good first-time flick to free Sawicki on the overlap. She then curled it inside the post, making it 9-2.
The 'Caps had several chances to hit double digits. Richardson chipped Banipal but hit the post, and later had another shot cleared off the goal line. Then in the final seconds, Wright had a hard shot palmed against the post by Banipal.
Next up for the Prospects is an away visit to Coquitlam Metro-Ford Xtreme on Thursday, June 10, at 8 p.m. PT.
Scoring summary:
4' VAN Jenna Di Nunzio
25' TSS Chiaria Quadri (PK)
39' VAN Erin Uchacz
47' VAN Tessa Meyer
52' VAN Jenna Richardson
61' VAN Nikki Wright
70' VAN Jenna Richardson
74' TSS Lindsey Briggs
76' VAN Nikki Wright
77' VAN Nikki Wright
79' VAN Jaclyn Sawicki
Whitecaps Prospects Women
2.Ally Williamson; 3.Nikki Ambrose, 7.Erin Uchacz, 10.Sydney Morrison (9.Tori Uhl 45'); 19.Maryse Reichgeld (18.Katie Turney 62'), 4.Natalie Boyd (5.Jennifer Castillo 62'), 14.Jaclyn Sawicki, 15.Taylor Shannik (11.Kendra Williams 36'); 12.Jenna Di Nunzio (39.Tessa Meyer 36'), 41.Nikki Wright, 22.Jenna Richardson
