Cowichan’s self-described “underdog” over-35 men’s soccer team has the 2018-19 season off to a great start.
With a 3-0 win over Vic West Academy Dental at Sherman Road turf on Saturday, the Cowichan Steelheads improved their record to two wins and one loss in the blue pool, and are making a bid to advance to the top bracket after the first round of play.
After starting out in the C division a few years ago, the Steelheads played in the B division last year, and have a chance to join the two-time Island champion Cowichan 49ers in the A division this year.
“We’re an underdog team, trying to get by on more grit than talent,” said George White, who plays for the Steelheads and shares coaching duties with Bill Keserich Jr., Peter Wynn and Steve Richards. “We’re mostly dads who coach their kids’ soccer teams. We’re trying to do the impossible and learn as we get older.”
Cheko Soto scored twice on Saturday and Roger Charlie added one, while Preston Johnny picked up the shutout. All three are new additions to the team this season.
Sponsored by Varga and Associates Private Wealth Management, the Steelheads are “very multicultural,” White notes. In addition to leading scorer Soto, who is originally from Mexico, the team includes players from Africa and Europe, and a handful of First Nations players.
“It’s what soccer is all about,” White said. “It’s a world game, and our team is a world team.”
The 49ers, arguably the favourite to win a third-straight Island title, were also in action on the weekend, beating Bays United 8-1 at Oak Bay High School on Friday. The Niners have outscored their opponents 20-2 on their way to a perfect record through three games in the red pool so far.
Stu Barker scored four times to run his league-leading total to 11 goals in three matches. Man of the Match Darren Meiner added two, Richard Lord had one, and Nick Zuback scored one while colliding with the Bays goalie, which left Zuback with a knee injury. A penalty shot on the last play of the game led to Bays’ lone goal.
Both Cowichan masters teams have four games left in pool play before they are seeded into their divisions for the rest of the season. This Friday, the 49ers will visit Prospect Lake and the Steelheads will visit red pool-leading UVic Alumni.
kevin.rothbauer@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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