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Winning streak continues for Cowichan United

Win over Fernwood keeps Cowichan atop Div. 2
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Pictured here in a game earlier this season, Alyssa Klotz scored and set up Cowichan United’s other two goals in a 3-0 win over Fernwood last Sunday. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Cowichan United played to their sixth win in a row and fifth consecutive shutout last Sunday afternoon, beating Fernwood City 3-0 at the Sherman Road pitch.

The hard-fought victory kept Cowichan at the top of the table in Div. 2 of the Lower Island Women’s Soccer Association.

“I thought it was obvious that Fernwood had organized their team to prioritize keeping the goals out,” Cowichan coach Adam Paulson said. “Their two centre backs were extremely fast and skilled, and their goalie made some great saves, but that led to the single shot on net for them. The two early goals settled the game and it never felt like we were in trouble, but I was happy we kept pressing and didn’t get frustrated by the missed chances.”

Cowichan struck first in the fifth minute when pressure from Alyssa Klotz caused a Fernwood defender to send a ball spinning into Fernwood’s 18-yard box. Katerina Cook pounced on the loose ball and got off a quick shot that beat the keeper to the far post. Five minutes after that, Cowichan strung together a series of passes before Klotz sent the ball to winger Seleana Jack at the corner of the 18-yard box. Jack’s shot was too much for the Fernwood keeper, who got her hands on it but couldn’t keep it out of the net.

Cowichan kept up the pressure for the rest of the first half, but didn’t add any more goals. Jada Hill appeared to score in the 38th minute, but the goal was negated by an offside call. Keira Martin had a series of shots toward the end of the half, but was unable to capitalize.

The second half started out much the same as Madison Szafranski was denied on a pair of corner kicks. Later on, the Fernwood keeper stopped a shot by Hill and Szafranski jumped on the rebound only to chip it over the crossbar. That led to Fernwood’s only shot of the match in the 68th minute, which was easily handled by Cowichan keeper Kate Collins. Immediately after that, Szafranski had another chance that beat the Fernwood keeper but was stopped on the line by a defender. Cowichan finally got their third goal when Hill collected the ball and sent a pass to Klotz, who beat a defender and hit a 30-yard chip shot that came down just under the bar.

With 11 wins and two losses on the season, Cowichan will visit Salt Spring United this Sunday. Salt Spring is in the middle of the pack with seven wins, one draw and five losses, but was the last team to beat Cowichan, winning 1-0 on the Sherman Road turf on Oct. 31.

“We now start a run of games against the other top teams that will decide where we finish in the table,” Paulson commented. “I am looking forward to seeing the ladies raise their game to take a run at the division title.”

In Div. 3, NIFA Pacific lost 6-0 to Lakehill at Braefoot Park last Friday and beat Bays 1-0 at home on Sunday. NIFA will be in action against Bays again this Sunday at the Cowichan Sportsplex starting at 1 p.m.

The O30 Cowichan Cougars did not play last weekend. They are scheduled to play host to Castaways United at noon this Sunday at the Sherman Road turf.



Kevin Rothbauer

About the Author: Kevin Rothbauer

Kevin Rothbauer is the sports reporter for the Cowichan Valley Citizen
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