SURREY, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite survived a first-half deluge to move one step away from clinching the League1 BC regular season title with a 4-2 victory over Unity FC.
On a rainy evening at Cloverdale Athletic Park, the young ’Caps continued their excellent run of form, unbeaten and at the top of the League1 BC table with a stellar record of 8W-1D-0L.
It also marked the final match for a number of graduating seniors on the team.
Whitecaps FC head coach Katie Collar called the win a “legacy game.” She was “really proud” of her team; the result served as a fitting farewell for many of the Girls Elite starters.
The stalwart 'Caps will now pass the torch to their younger teammates to carry on the high standards that they've set.
Captain Kierra Blundell is among those players who will soon be departing, with a move south of the border to the NCAA. She’ll lace up for Arizona State University.
Blundell mentioned that she was pleased to leave the ’Caps on a winning note and guide her club closer to locking up first place. She acknowledged that her proudest moment was last year’s double of both the provincial and national championships.
The sparkplug for Whitecaps FC in the first half was Kaylee Hunter. Ten minutes in, she created space from 20 yards out. Her powerful effort grazed off the bar.
As the rain mercifully lessened to a drizzle, Hunter pushed forward again for goal. Down the right wing, she drew defenders close before laying off a low cross for a wide-open Joy Kimwemwe. The forward, who will be heading to the University of South Florida, cooly slotted home past Unity FC goalkeeper Joven Sandhu for a 1-0 lead.
However, Unity FC struck back less than 10 minutes later courtesy of Jenaya Robertson. Her powerful drive from the top of the box swerved over outstretched Whitecaps FC ’keeper Kylie Sandulak to tie the match at 1-1.
With the weather improving, Whitecaps FC recovered their speed with well-timed breakouts from midfield. Midfielder Jeneva Hernandez Gray took advantage after a slick inside-out move for a well-placed 15-yard drive to the back of the net and a 2-1 advantage. Before halftime, teammate Jamie Perrault came two feet from glory with an audacious try from distance that bent outside the post.
After play resumed, Unity FC looked dangerous – a well-taken corner kick connected off the head of captain Elizabeth Hicks – but Sandulak raced across and stood tall to smother the seven-yard chance.
At the other end, Hunter cut into the box and cracked home the insurance marker that ensured Whitecaps FC would finish strong for their grads.
Unity FC pushed hard off a corner – a Luciana Andrews header closed the gap to 3-2. However, the 'Caps replied late in stoppage time with a Chloe Taylor strike.
One more point for Whitecaps FC over the final three matches, or any dropped points by Burnaby FC, will officially clinch the regular season title for the Girls Elite, and a chance to defend their League1 Canada Inter-Provincial Championship in Hamilton, Ontario from August 9 to 11.
Next up for Whitecaps FC will be a home match against Harbourside FC next Saturday, July 6 at Thunderbird Stadium. Kickoff for the women's match will be at 1 p.m. PT.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Chris Harrop
Scoring Summary
17’ – VAN – Joy Kimwemwe (Kaylee Hunter)
25’ – UNI – Jenaya Robertson
34’ – VAN – Jeneva Hernandez Gray
74’ – VAN – Kaylee Hunter
84’ – UNI – Luciana Andrews
90’+3 – VAN – Chloe Taylor (Emily Wong)
Cautions
54’ – UNI – Sophie Crowther
90’+3 – VAN – Emily Wong
Whitecaps FC Girls Elite
30.Kylie Sandulak; 8.Jaime Perrault, 16.Bridget Mutipula (6.Mya Archibald 54’), 14.Téa Mayson (27.Clare Logan 66’), 3.Iba Oching; 10.Noelle Sather (4.Emily Wong 66’), 7.Jeneva Hernandez Gray, 9.Kierra Blundell ©; 11.Kaylee Hunter (20.Chloe Taylor 74’); 2.Joy Kimwemwe (24.Bianca Patik 82’) 17.Emma Yee (13.Sammy Reimer 84’)
Substitute not used
1.Sidney Venier
