VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC will go for the three-peat.
The 'Caps defeated TSS Rovers 4-2 in a tightly contested semifinal on Friday night at Thunderbird Stadium to advance to a third consecutive League1 BC championship final. They will now await the winner of Unity FC and Burnaby FC, and face them in the final next Sunday, August 4 at Swangard Stadium. Kickoff for the women's final is set for 1 p.m. PT.
In a nervy playoff semifinal that had it all – lit flares, drums, and six goals – the predominantly young ’Caps turned to several new faces to lead the way, with key contributions from their more experienced reinforcements.
The first half had numerous back-and-forth chances. Whitecaps FC forward Kaylee Hunter expertly tapped forward a through ball for Jeneva Hernandez Gray. Her strong 10-yard volley forced TSS goalkeeper Kirstin Tynan skyward to knock the ball out of danger.
It would be Hunter who would ultimately open the scoring in the 22nd minute, blasting a long shot that Tynan could not keep out.
Meanwhile, Rovers forward Jenna Baxter was the sparkplug for the away side. In the 25th minute, she came inches from glory with an audacious effort struck from outside the box – but Whitecaps FC goalkeeper Morgan McAslan climbed the ladder and punched the strike to deflect off the crossbar and out.
Baxter replied with an inspired sprint that turned into a breakaway against McAslan – who did the splits to kick out the chance.
McAslan's heroics were key, as new Whitecaps FC captain Brianne Reed doubled the lead to 2-0 with a slick header off a corner.
However, the Rovers came roaring back during an inspired five-minute period. In first-half stoppage time, Katie Bishop hit a screamer that squeaked past McAslan.
After play resumed, Baxter cooly converted a penalty to deadlock the semifinal at 2-2.
Teammate Devon Kavanagh slipped past a few ’Caps defenders and tried to slip the ball through the wickets of McAslan as the ’keeper alertly slid to the far post to deny the shot on target.
McAslan once again earned her stripes as she repeatedly denied the Rovers off a frantic series of 2-on-1 point-blank chances deep in the danger area.
In the end, it was young Abby Anderson who came up with the winning moment. 11 minutes after being subbed on, the 16-year-old struck after a great feed from Hunter for a 3-2 lead with only 10 minutes remaining.
“I really wanted to score,” Anderson said afterwards. “I tried to do everything I could to help. It feels so good!”
With time ticking, another newcomer came up huge as midfielder Josie Longhurst slotted home a one-touch pass from Anderson to salt the match away for the 'Caps.
Whitecaps FC head coach Katie Collar was impressed by her experienced ’keeper, who provided a multitude of highlight-reel stops.
“Morgan was unbelievable. She had the heart – and gave us the heart – to stay in this match,” Collar commented.
Now it's onto the final, as the squad looks to add another trophy to the cabinet.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Denzil Sharma
Scoring Summary22’ – VAN – Kaylee Hunter (Bridget Mutipula)
28’ – VAN – Brianne Reed (Jeneva Hernandez Gray)
45'+1 – TSS – Katie Bishop
48’ – TSS – Jenna Baxter (penalty kick)
81’ – VAN – Abby Anderson (Kaylee Hunter)
90’ – VAN – Josie Longhurst (Abby Anderson)
Cautions66’ – TSS – Jenna Baxter
77’ – TSS – Sofia Faremo
90’+4 – VAN – Mia Guterres
Whitecaps FC Girls Elite33.Morgan McAslan; 12.Keira Martin, 28.Brianne Reed © (26.Abigail Anderson 70’), 16.Bridget Mutipula (19.Josie Longhurst HT); 24.Bianca Patik (23.Lacey Kindel 83’), 4.Emily Wong (14.Téa Mayson 60’), 20.Chloe Taylor (13.Sammy Reimer 90’+2), 7.Jeneva Hernandez Gray, 8.Jaime Perrault; 15.Jade Mitchell (25.Mia Guterres HT), 11.Kaylee Hunter
Substitute not used
30.Kylie Sandulak
