Last weekend had a couple of big upsets in the men's and women's leagues, as teams prepare for the anything-can-happen free-for-alls that are the playoff weekends.
In the women's league, Coast Progressive Blazers, availed of their new acquisitions from the Wild, beat Xenichen Ya Yas 2-1. Blazers picked up keeper Cheryl Sloane as well as defender Maria Melia-Budd. The Blazers got a nifty header from Christine Campbell, while the second came from Pam Bunbury. Miranda Joe scored for the Ya Yas.
L&J Contracting Fusion played a tight match with CALs Crushers despite losing 3-0. Fusion has been using new keeper Jessica "Wonder-Wall" Wells to maximum effect and got good defending from Shelley Patrick. The Crushers, though, kept busting through. These girls have been playing together for a decade and it shows, as veteran Sara Schutz popped one in before leaving to coach her rep team. Kim Starnes scored the other two, one of which was a very well-placed chip.
In the men's league, Pender Harbour managed a 5-2 win over Gibsons Pigs. Pigs could summon only 10 players for the trek north to the wooded wilds of Pender, and they paid the price.
Ken Campbell spent Sunday at work, and hopefully made some overtime, as his goals were missed. Pigs' strikes came from Dean Forbes on a penalty shot, while Eoin Ross banged one in on the goal line.
Coast Progressive United (CPU) hit the net five times to Halfmoon Bay's one.
CPU scores were Kurt Vernon, Shane Vernon, Ted Chisholm, Simon Steel and Dean Totten.
HMB were still working in some returning players to the line-up, as Todd Creed and Greg Stinson brought some physical presence to the field. Both player-coaches Dave "Man U" Marsh and James "The Ranger" Marshall logged some game time, each attacking their opponent's net. Greg Stinson hit the net for HMB.
Gibsons United proved they are no one-trick pony and still managed five goals in the absence of their star striker. Goals came in twos from Pat Taylor and Richard Getzkow, with a single from Grant Marshall. Sechelt Chiefs goal came on a running volley sent in from Kevin August to Mark Williams who met the ball with his right foot pummelling it into the net.
Xenichen Wolves took their match with IGA Selects 4-1. Rick Timothy notched yet another hat trick, while Ryan Paul bagged a single. Barry Krangle hit the Selects dramatic strike. Krangle, never a player associated with restraint, catapulted himself at an incoming cross and wound up in the net alongside the ball for the goal.
