PDL Game Report
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
VICTORIA, B.C. – The Vancouver Whitecap FC U-23 scored three goals in the opening 20 minutes on their way to a 7-2 victory agains the Victoria Highlanders FC on Wednesday night at Royal Athletic Park as they advanced in the PDL Playoffs' Northwest Divisional Playoff. Kianz Froese, Cody Cook and Niall Cousens each scored twice, while former Highlander Brett Levis rounded out the scoring as the Whitecaps U-23 joined the Kitsap Pumas in the Western Conference Championship.
With play barely underway in the opening half, Levis found himself orchestrating the first of three successive blows against his former club as he fed Cook at the top corner of the penalty area, who had time to fire a rocket past ‘keeper Elliot Mitrou for the early lead.
Levis followed suit almost immediately with a goal of his own, as he took advantage of miscommunication by the Highlanders back line and receiving the ball inside the attacking zone before wiring it home for the 2-0 advantage in the eighth minute.
With the Highlanders on their heels, the ‘Caps struck again off a penalty kick from Cook. One-on-one in the attacking zone, Mitrou’s contact with the striker gave the referee no option but to assess a caution and subsequent penalty kick. The goal would put the visiting side up 3-0 before the match had hit the 20-minute mark.
Despite the three-goal disadvantage, the Highlanders pushed forward with a majority of possession through the remainder of the half, receiving a slew of chances that would ultimately fall short of putting the home team on the board. Among the chances was a near breakaway for recent scoring machine Cam Hundal, who fired a low shot just wide right of the goal mouth.
Following Hundal’s near-goal, the ‘Caps struck again on one of their few forays into the attacking zone. This time it was Cousens, who redirected a header inside the left post for the 4-0 advantage heading into the second half of play.
Things got interesting early in the final frame, as the Highlanders finally broke through on the scoreboard with Sturrock putting the ball in from an awkward angle after a scramble in the goal mouth. Vancouver answered back the following minute however, with Froese getting on the score sheet.
Refusing to go down without a fight, Victoria responded with their second goal of the game, as substitute Hughes wired home a blast of his own to cut the goal advantage to three.
Highlanders captain Tyler Hughes was assessed a red and subsequent ejection in the 70th minute after taking down his mark just outside the 18-yard box. The veteran fullback received the largest ovation of the night as he made his way to the tunnel, acknowledging the fans with applause of his own.
Vancouver took advantage on the ensuing free kick, as a Froese free kick ricocheted off Cousens and through a screen of gold and black for the 6-2 lead. Froese would notch his own brace in the 84th minute.
Unable to cut the lead further, the Highlanders would fall 7-2, ending their PDL campaign, while the Whitecaps push their winning streak to nine games, advancing to the Western Conference Championships next week.