SURREY, BC - On a rainy Friday night in Surrey, BC, in front of 705 fans, Vancouver Whitecaps FC women earned a crucial three points, as they captured a 2-0 victory over Santa Clarita Blue Heat. The victory now gives the Blue and White a total of eight points on the season in the United Soccer leagues (USL) W-League.
Santa Clarita carried the majority of the play in the early minutes of the match. The best chance for the Blue Heat came off a free kick from 25 yards out on 14 minutes when Whitecaps FC defender Shannon Woeller committed a foul. Santa Clarita defender Sydney Vermillion’s free kick went off the crossbar for the Blue Heat’s best chance in the half.
Whitecaps FC had two close calls in the first half. On 35 minutes, defender Shannon Woeller headed a Mele French corner kick just over the crossbar. The ‘Caps would get another glorious offensive opportunity towards the end of the first half on 43 minutes when forward Jenna Richardson sent French on a breakaway, but her shot sailed just high.
Whitecaps FC got off to a great start in the second half, as central midfielder Molly Rouse put a perfect through ball past the Blue Heat back four right onto the foot of French. Denied in the first half, French made sure to bury her shot to make it 1-0 for the ‘Caps on 49 minutes.
The Blue Heat were determined to leave Surrey with at least one point for their efforts, but ‘Caps goalkeeper Gurveen Clair would shut down the Santa Clarita attack for the clean sheet. The best chance for the Blue Heat came off a strike from 20 yards out, but Clair was up to the task.
‘Caps midfielder Jaclyn Sawicki put the game out of reach with a beautiful strike from 30 yards out to make the score 2-0 for the Blue and White. Sawicki stole a loose ball from Santa Clarita and sailed it over Blue Heat goalkeeper Cynthia Jacobo into the back of the net.
The 'Caps have a short turnaround, as they take to the pitch on Sunday afternoon at 12 p.m. PT to face Pali Blues at Kinsmen Stadium in North Vancouver, BC.
For schedule and ticket information, visit whitecapsfc.com or contact Hugh Hamilton at 778-330-1360.
Scoring Summary:
49’ – VAN – Mele French (Molly Rouse)
85’ – VAN – Jaclyn Sawicki
Match Stats:
Shots: Vancouver 14 – Santa Clarita 12
Saves: Vancouver 8 – Santa Clarita 7
Fouls: Vancouver 18 – Santa Clarita 12
Corners: Vancouver 2 – Santa Clarita 6
Offsides: Vancouver 4 – Santa Clarita 3
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
30.Gurveen Clair; 8.Demi Stokes, 33.Shannon Woeller, 4.Danielle Johnson 25.Jenna Carosio; 18.Nicole Setterlund (6.Jaclyn Sawicki 70’), 24.Marissa Mykines (2.Taylor Patterson 72’), 19.Molly Rouse, 23.Jenny Jeffers; 29.Mele French, 3.Jenna Richarson (16.Mary Kate McLaughlin 88’)
Substitutes not used: 31.Alyssa Williamson, 28.Brittany Galindo, 7.Brienna Shaw, 22.Brandi Vega
Santa Clarita Blue Heat
1.Cynthia Jacobo; 2.Kayla Kret, 17.Sydney Vermillion, 29.Madison Van Dine, 6.Taryne Boudreau; 21.Holly Hein, 9.Marisha Shumacher-Hodge, 19.Ana Borges, 16.Shasta Fisher; 18.Edite Fernandes, 8.Rachel Nuzzolese (27. Chloe McDaniel 72’)
Substitutes not used: 31.Kaci McCain, 25.Jessica Luvano, 23.Danielle Bitonti, 11.Laura Luis
