It’s a rarity to make it through a season of soccer — or any sport really — completely unscathed but the Cowichan 49ers masters soccer team has done just that, going 17-0 in league play with a win over rival, UVic Alumni on March 4 at the Sherman Road turf. It was their last game of the regular winter league season, though the team will continue on with playoffs and Cup play.
Following a 4-1 victory, the Man of the Match award was given to coach Kevin James.
“The team is proud of the 17-0 season and coach keeps us grounded and on track each week,” team spokesperson Adam Taft said.
It was the second game in consecutive weeks the 49ers played host to UVic and Cowichan wasted no time capitalizing on their home field advantage.
Tyler Hughes converted an early penalty at the eight-minute mark to put Cowichan ahead, 1-0.
UVic countered 22 minutes in to tie it up before Brad Archibald made it 2-1 for the home team, finding the far corner after Yuta Yamato slipped a nice pass through at the top of the 18, Taft said.
He said the early moments of the second half saw the two teams trade some chances.
“The 49ers started to apply more pressure and were awarded at the 75th minute when Tyler Hughes scored his second with a long range volley,” Taft said. “Chad Bastion added a fourth, finishing a nice build up just 10 minutes later.”
The final was 4-1 49ers to push their unbeaten streak to 17. Cowichan next sets their sights on the Tony Grover Cup semi-finals which will kick off at 6 p.m. on March 11 at the Sherman Road turf against Prospect Lake.
The Cowichan Steelheads fell 4-1 to Prospect Lake on March 4 at Layritz turf in their second to last league game of the season. Already out of Tony Grover Cup contention, the Steelheads play their last league game on the road on March 12 when they visit Fernwood Dragons FC.
Meanwhile, In Div. 1 men’s action, Cowichan Axis FC was also on the pitch on March 4, facing Powell River Villa on the road at Timberlane Park in Powell River.
Connor Crichton, Ben Robson, Michael Daniels and Colin Knight scored at the 1st, 14th, 44th, and 82nd minute marks respectively in a tough 4-3 victory. Cowichan effort frustrated the Villa as five yellow cards were handed out, all to the home team.
Axis FC wraps up their winter league regular season on March 17 at home when Nanaimo United FC comes to town for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.