Fresh off their second-straight provincial championship-winning season, the Cowichan Cougars played a 12:30 p.m. game Sunday against the Prospect Lake Lakers in Lower Island Women’s Soccer Association over-30 division play.
Cowichan’s Monni Savory gave the home team the lead early, sliding through a sea of legs to strike the ball deftly into the lower right corner of the net to convert a cross from teammate Stacey DeLusignan. Cowichan continued to press but couldn’t find a second goal in the first half to give them a more comfortable lead.
After some half time adjustments, Prospect Lake came out flying and tied the game early in the second half. Unfortunately for Cowichan, their adjustments at half time had the opposite effect, admitted Cougars coach Darian Achurch, and they conceded three more goals in the second half before DeLusignan was able to knock one in during the final minute of play.
“It was a coaching loss more than anything,” said Achurch. “It is early in the season and I tried a few formations that didn’t work. The team all worked hard and I admire their grit to stay in the game.”
A bright spot for the Cougars was one of their new players, Kyla Pronk, who won the team’s hard-hat award for Player for the Game.
“It was a tough start to the season but I know we have a great team,” said Pronk. “We’ll get them next time.”
The Cougars will try to earn their first win of the season next Sunday at home against Gorge at 2 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Cowichan Storm were back to Div. 3 play this weekend, welcoming Bays United to the Sherman Road turf for an 8 p.m. game Saturday night.
The Storm allowed two goals but was unable to find the goal themselves, ultimately losing to Bays 2-0.
“Our defence was amazing throughout the whole game and the team played really well together despite trying out a new formation with new players,” said the team’s player-assistant manager Megan Branch.
The team had some good attempts on net, with one of Branch’s shots striking the post before bouncing clear of the goal.
Khasi Dietrich earned the team’s Player of the Game award for her efforts.
“It was a really promising start to the season and I have high hopes for this Friday’s game in Ladysmith.”
The Storm will reveal new jerseys for their 8 p.m. game this Friday at Forrest Field.
“They were generously paid for by our sponsors at Khowutzun Forestry Services,” Branch noted.
In other women’s soccer news, it’s a whole new world for Cowichan FC women, as they embark on a new season in the LIWSA’s premier league.
Having been promoted from Div. 1 last season, it’ll be a different look for the ladies each time they take to the field.
The premier women didn’t get a chance to get things rolling in Week 1 of LIWSA action, however, as they drew an opening week bye. The squad’s first game will be a visit to Gorge United at Lellum Turf on Sept. 15 for an 8 p.m. start.
