Metro Vancouver…..The KPU Eagles women’s soccer team close out a productive weekend to tie the VIU Mariners 0-0 at home today at Newton Athletic Park in Surrey, BC after yesterday's 1-0 win over the Quest University Kermodes. This is the second of three meetings these teams will have in the 2014-2015 PACWEST CCAA season, the first resulted in a 4-1 loss to VIU in Nanaimo, BC on September 14. KPU’s record is now 3-3-3 as the Eagles head into back-to-back matches next weekend with the Capilano University Blues.
The Eagles defense was put to the test early in the first half as the Mariners' forwards maintained control of the ball and made a few shots on net in the opening minutes. KPU’s first-year goalkeeper Simran Meelu, Abbotsford, BC was strong in net for the Eagles. Meelu made key point-blank saves in the 4th and 28th minutes, and stopped a direct shot on net by Mariners' third-year forward Bronte Fitzimmons, Victoria, BC. The shot was awarded to VIU in the 37th minute off a foul drawn by KPU.
The second half saw the Eagles in a similar situation as the first half, a KPU foul and a direct shot was awarded to VIU in the 61st minute and again, Fitzsimmons’ attempt was stopped by Meelu. While the game was mostly played in the mid and backfield for KPU, a few more VIU shots on net would go wide or hit the crossbar. The Eagles’ persistence paid off as VIU’s four-game winning streak ended at Newton Athletic Park today. Meelu earns her first university-career shut-out in her fifth start in net for KPU.
“I’m pleased with the effort today, especially after a hard game against Quest yesterday,” said KPU Eagles head coach Julie King, “I’ve said it before, everybody has to do their job so somebody else doesn’t have to do it. Everyone stepped up today and we now look ahead to next weekend.”
The Eagles take on the Capilano University Blues on Saturday, October 3rd at 1:00pm on the road in North Vancouver, BC before returning home to Newton Athletic Park for a second match with the Blues on Sunday, October 3rd at 12:00pm.
(Photo Credit: Tree Frog Imaging)
For more information on the Department of Athletics & Recreation, please contact Junelle Mah, sports information and marketing, at 604-786-0804 or at junelle.mah@kpu.ca.
The KPU Eagles Department of Athletics & Recreation enters its 14th season of interuniversity competition. The Eagles are members of the PACWEST conference and play in the Canadian College Athletic Association (CCAA) with 100 student-athletes participating on eight varsity teams in men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, badminton and golf. KPU athletics plays its home games at the Eagles’ Nest (Surrey Campus), Northview Golf & Country Club, Newton Athletic Park, all located in Surrey, BC and the Ace Badminton Centre in Richmond, BC. The Eagles are active in the conference with staff members on various advisory committees and competing to host both provincial and national championships. The student-athletes are mainly from the lower mainland but KPU’s rosters have included student-athletes from North America, South America, Asia and Europe.