Peace Arch News said:Things just refuse to go smoothly for Peace Arch United.
After enjoying a two-month stretch early in the men’s premier soccer season where they couldn’t lose, momentum has swung for United since a 5-1 loss to Langley in Pakenham Cup finals April 2.
In the aftermath of the championship game loss, they’ve lost their starting sweeper to a one-game suspension, and all-star keeper Jacob Hansen to injury. In an attempt to stay in shape before provincials, they lost an exhibition contest last week, 5-0 to Sporting Club, of Vancouver Metro League.
Past success could not not seem further away for the Peninsula club, as they prepare for the first round of Provincial Cup action Sunday. United faces Victoria’s Vantreight, 2 p.m. on the turf field at Cloverdale Athletic Park.
“We’re struggling right now, no question. That loss to Langley was really a blow – we were on a roll until then and then we just fell apart,” PAU coach Mike Cain said.
“Our confidence is at an all-time low for this season. Sitting on that loss has been tough.”
Getting past Vantreight will be no easy feat. The club steamrolled through Vancouver Island’s premier circuit this year, and has consistently been a threat on the provincial stage.
“I don’t really know much about them, except that they’re a good team,” Cain said.
“They’ve gone deep into B.C.’s a number of times.”
Peace Arch will be without veteran sweeper Kevin Saunders, who picked up his third yellow card of the season in Pakenham finals, and is forced to sit out one game.
“(Because provincials) are single knockout, that could hurt us,” Cain said.
They’ll also be without Hansen, who hurt his knee against Langley and has spent two weeks on crutches. With the team’s backup keeper also out – James Pristin has been hurt since Christmas – United will again look to unknown Ryan McDougall to keep the ball out of their net.
In a similar goaltender emergency before Pakenham semifinals against North Delta, United was forced to sign McDougall as a last minute replacement, despite never seeing him play, or even meeting him. He made a number of key saves to earn a shutout in that game.
“We used him to get through a sticky patch back then, and now it kind of rests on his shoulders again,” Cain said.
While United lacks the swagger they had in post-season play, one ‘W’ can do a lot for confidence.
It also makes for short memories. Should United win Sunday, three weeks of struggling could be forgotten.
“We just have to play our game, and get this ship righted again,” Cain said.
Tunes said:It's too bad the Gorge will have to beat two Island teams to get to the semi's....with all this shietie talk it would be nice to put the Vancouver teams in their place early in the draw.
Ahem... don't you mean the worst team in the Valley?Walt said:As a Vantreight im not buying any of your early excuse's. We lost a couple a years ago too probably the worst team in vancouver so were not taking anyone lightly.
The Hampton Park Hustlers?Saanich News said:Having won another Vancouver Island Soccer League crown and again captured the Jackson Cup, Gorge FC is expected to give the Island its best shot at a B.C. senior men's A cup.
The Hampton Park hustlers face a stiff challenge, however, when the round of 16 begins Saturday (April 22). Bays United Blue, still stinging from a 2-0 loss to Gorge in the Jackson final, is out to avenge the loss.
"I think they have to feel it's going to be a tough game, but we're obviously underdogs," Bays coach Scott Longpre said of Gorge.
Game time is 2 p.m. at Hampton Park.
In other first-round action, VISL's Vantreights FC plays Peace Arch United on the mainland Saturday.
Knees United said:Hope your sex life is better than your prediction - god awful and premature.....
We appreciate you live in a bubble on an Island so we can expect you to be a little slow in the head but the arrogance in your post about PAU having zero chance is even stupid for your kind.....
The Spy said:Like Sporting "fluking" out and beating the Gorge and Treights abck to back ?