Victoria Highlanders’ women’s prospect squads went undefeated over the weekend, earning a draw and a victory against Victoria Athletics and Magnuson Ford SC.
The Lower Island Women’s Soccer League’s Prospect women played arguably their best opening half of the season against Victoria Athletics, Oct. 25 at the University of Victoria.
The Highlanders’ defense was on display throughout the match, as a focus by head coach Dave Dew on the defensive third of the pitch in practice paid dividends at match time in the scoreless draw.
Former players under Dew highlighted the Athletics roster, including forward Moira Hood, a member of the UVic Vikes 2005 CIS Championship roster as well as Kate Hambleton. The experienced roster provided the Highlanders with a strong challenge in the match.
Unfortunately the Highlanders were unable to finish on their offensive opportunities, battling to a 0-0 draw. In net Puck Lowes and Miranda Clarke split duties after Lowes suffered a game-ending injury in her first game in 12 months.
Clarke performed admirably between the woodwork, making four saves on quality opportunities from Athletics.
Sunday afternoon saw the Metro-Ford Women’s Soccer League’s Highlanders Prospect squad notching a 2-1 victory against Magnuson Ford SC, Oct. 26, also at UVic.
Holly Goodacre and Liz Hansen tallied for the Highlanders, while Steph Parker and Emily Moore split duties in net en route to the women’s third victory of the season.
Goodacre opened scoring in the 18th minute of play after teammate London Veronica played an over-the-top ball that Goodacre did well to run onto. A half-volley strike put her side up 1-0 before the visitors then leveled the match off a converted free kick in the 26th minute.
In her first game back with the Highlanders, Hansen scored the eventual game-winner just before the first half whistle blew, receiving a pass from teammate Erica Groten before putting the ball to the back of the net for the 2-1 lead.
“It was a good game for us,” said Dew.
“They just moved up to our league and feature a number of Trinity Western Spartan and Fraser Valley Cascade graduates. It adds another high-end team in the league for us to compete against.”
A notable staple on Magnuson Ford’s roster included former Highlander Megan Webster, who featured on Victoria’s squad during their tenure in the W-League.
Despite the visitor’s impressive roster, it was the Highlanders who would earn another strike in the win column, moving to 3-3-1 on the season. Victoria sits fourth in Premier Division table.
Next up, the LIWSL squad faces off against Castaways FC, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m., while the MWSL square off against Westside FC ‘A’, Sunday (Nov. 2) at Hillcrest Park at 2 p.m.