RICHMOND, BC - On a beautiful sunny afternoon at Minoru Park Oval in Richmond, BC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Victoria Highlanders FC played to an entertaining 1-1 draw in front of 677 fans in the 'Caps final home match of the season.
Vancouver applied some early offensive pressure, but Victoria were able to weather the storm. The best chance came at 22 minutes off a Danielle Johnson cross that found Demi Stokes at the edge of the six-yard box. Unfortunately for the ‘Caps left fullback, her volley went straight into the hands of Victoria goalkeeper Tanya Jones.
Highlanders FC opened the scoring for the visitors against the run of play. Off a Liz Hansen corner, defender Nina Anderson rose above the ’Caps defence and put the ball past goalkeeper Gurveen Clair on 38 minutes.
The Blue and White had a chance to draw even just before the half. Johnson busted down the right flank and put a shot on goal that caused problems for Jones. Striker Mele French desperately tried to get a boot on the loose ball, but Highlanders FC were able to clear the danger.
Whitecaps FC got the second half started in fine fashion, as Washington State product Brandi Vega chipped in a loose ball past Jones and into the back of the net to even the score in the 53rd minute. The goal was Vega’s first of the season and first as a member of Whitecaps FC.
‘Caps captain Jenny Jeffers had the best chance to push the Blue and White ahead at 76 minutes. However, her header sailed just wide of the far post. In total, the ‘Caps outshot Victoria 30-5 and forced Jones to make 14 saves.
Whitecaps FC will now wrap up their season with a trip to The Centennial State. Next Friday night, the ‘Caps visit Colorado Rush and two days later, on Sunday, July 15, the ’Caps play Colorado Rapids to finish off their 2012 W-League season.
Scoring Summary:
38' - VIC - Nina Anderson (Elizabeth Hansen)
53' - VAN - Brandi Vega
Match Stats:
Shots: Vancouver 30 - Victoria 5
Saves: Vancouver 3 - Victoria 14
Fouls: Vancouver 6 - Victoria 3
Corners: Vancouver 9 - Victoria 1
Offsides: Vancouver 3 - Victoria 2
Cautions:
55' - VAN - Brandi Vega
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
30.Gurveen Clair; 4.Danielle Johnson, 25.Jenna Carosio, 28.Brittany Galindo (20.Alison Fenter 87'), 8.Demi Stokes; 2.Taylor Patterson (22.Brandi Vega 45'), 23.Jennifer Jeffers, 21.Paige Adams (34.Janine Frazao 63'), 19.Molly Rouse (9.Natalie Boyd 59'); 29.Mele French, 24.Marissa Mykines (16.Mary Kate McLaughlin 80')
Substitutes not used: 7.Brienna Shaw, 26.Penelope Hughes
Victoria Highlanders FC
32.Tanya Jones; 21.Mallory Hackett, 8.Nikki Turner (16.Carson Machin 45'), 2.Kelsey Tikka, 23.Nina Anderson; 11.Jackie Harrison (17.Nat Scharf 76'), 15.Katie Kraeutner (18.Heather Christie 83'), 13.Mariel Solsberg (3.Janelle Smith 67'); 9.Liz Hansen, 4.Lindsay Hoetzal (7.Amy Lawrence 45'), 10.Sarah Douglas (5.Sarah Rhodes 76')
Substitutes not used: 1.Stephanie Parker
