NORTH VANCOUVER, BC – The still undefeated Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite battled to a closely fought 1-1 tie with Altitude FC in North Vancouver.
“The biggest thing is: these are the games we need," said Whitecaps FC coach Katie Collar.
The result was the first time this season the Girls Elite did not pick up all three points. However, the defending provincial and national champions still lead the table with 19 points: six wins and a draw.
After the Girls Elite exploded for a 10-2 victory over Altitude FC June 9, a much sterner side awaited the ’Caps at Kinsmen Field three days later.
Early on, Altitude captain Yva Rodriguez anticipated a poor clearance. As she turned towards goal, her hurried shot was ably covered up by ’Caps keeper Kylie Sandulak.
Throughout 2024, Sandulak has been an oasis of calm that has grounded her teammates. In the 12th minute, she stood her ground and smothered a well-struck attempt from Altitude’s Avery Tulloch deep in the danger area.
The home side was energized; Jade Mitchell juked her way into open space to unleash a 25-yard strike that dangerously dipped to the far post. Sandulak had her finest moment as she climbed the ladder and impressively punched the ball out for a corner kick.
“I’ve worked on that since I was eight,” Sandulak said of her remarkable athleticism to go airborne for saves.
But Mitchell wasn’t done. On her next run, she steered a low shot that barely dribbled under a splayed-out Sandulak for a 1-0 lead.
Four minutes into the second half, Whitecaps FC captain Kierra Blundell made no mistake as she cooly converted off a cross from Joy Kimwemwe to tie the match 1-1.
The goal gave the defending champs a boost. As the minutes ticked on, the Girls Elite had the majority of possession, yet unable to penetrate the close marking of the home side.
With a quarter of an hour left, Blundell was sent onside and sprinted towards goal for a clear break. She put her head down and powerfully cracked the ball – just two feet wide of the far post.
The final whistle confirmed a deserving point for each side.
For the Girls Elite, their next home match is Saturday, July 6 at UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium at 1 p.m. PT.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Denzil Sharma
Scoring Summary
43’ – ALT – Jade Mitchell
49’ – VAN – Kierra Blundell (Joy Kimwemwe)
Cautions
34’ – ALT – Avery Tulloch
Whitecaps FC Girls Elite
30.Kylie Sandulak; 23.Racquel Partovi (2. Joy Kimwemwe HT), 27.Clare Logan (14.Téa Mayson HT), 16.Bridget Mutipula (20.Chloe Taylor 79’), 3.Iba Oching; 10.Noelle Sather, 7.Jeneva Hernandez Gray, 11.Kaylee Hunter; 8.Jamie Perrault, 9.Kierra Blundell, 17.Emma Yee (29.Katie Connell 64’)
Substitutes not used
32.Samantha Powell, 4.Emily Wong, 13.Sammy Reimer
