Masters
The Cowichan 49ers were looking for their sixth Tony Grover Cup championship on March 15 at Starlight Stadium and by the end of the match, the team was singing in the dressing room.
Up against Vic West, the team had made the championship game by ousting last year's Tony Grover champs, the Prospect Lake Lakers, 8-0 in the semi-finals on March 1.
The teams played to a halftime draw in soggy conditions in Langford and it took nearly 20 minutes in the second half for the game's first tally to be notched: a header from the team's leading scorer, Gjoa Carr off a beautiful cross from just outside the 18 yard box in the 64th minute.
Stalwart goalie Darian Achurch recorded the clean sheet for Cowichan while Carr earned the right to call himself the 2025 Tony Grover Cup MVP.
An insurance goal from an unmarked Gary Anderson as the final seconds ticked down gave Cowichan its sixth Tony Grover Cup title. The 49ers also won in 2016-17, 2017-28, 2018-19, 2021-22, and 2022-23.
"We are now tied for the record for most Tony Grover Cups," said a proud player/manager Neall Rowlings after the win. "We now look towards our provincial run."
The 49ers will celebrate the victory for a short time before turning their attention to the provincial draw.
Div. I
Cowichan Axis was also up against Vic West on March 15 at Starlight Stadium, as the Div. 1 teams were competing in the Jackson Cup finals. Despite a Mateo Kostering goal to start the scoring, Cowichan was unable to keep pace with Vic West, ultimately falling by a 6-1 score.
Axis wraps up their winter league on March 22 against Bays United in Oak Bay.
Selects
Cowichan FC were up against the Prospect Lake Lakers on March 16 in their final game of the winter season.
Div. III women
The Cowichan Storm played Salt Spring in the Leversedge Cup quarter-final on March 15 at the Sherman Road turf. Goals from Marissa Morris and Meg Watkins were all Cowichan would need to advance to the semis with a 2-0 win. The Storm will meet Saanich in the Leversedge Cup semi-finals this coming weekend.
Div. V men
Cowichan FC wrapped up their winter season with a 2-1 loss on March 15 against the SFFC Revolution at the Tyndall turf in Saanich. Mikeal Seymour scored Cowichan's only marker.
O30 Women
The Cowichan Cougars are slated to play Nanaimo United FC on March 25 in Nanaimo.
