Squamish, BC…..The KPU Eagles women’s soccer team played a valiant semi-final match at the 2014 PACWEST Provincials hosted by Quest University on Friday, October 24th, but fell 1-0 to the VIU Mariners in the final minutes of overtime. The Eagles post-season record is 0-1 after qualifying for PACWEST Provincials for the first time since 2011. KPU will face the Douglas College Royals tomorrow in the bronze medal match.
The Eagles, ranked number four in the PACWEST, fought hard as a team, playing one of the best matches of their season against the number one ranked-PACWEST and number two nationally-ranked Mariners. The first half was fast-paced and well-matched as the KPU defense and midfield successfully shut down a high-scoring VIU offense. The Eagles forwards made a number of shots on the VIU net, but were unable to get them past the goalkeeper.
The second half saw Eagles first-year goalkeeper Simran Meelu, Abbotsford, BC was stellar in net as she made multiple saves to keep VIU scoreless and helped push the game into overtime. KPU pushed hard offensively and in the 113th minute had a fantastic opportunity that hit the crossbar. VIU would respond in the 115th minute to score the game winner. KPU’s third-year midfielder Gurneet Josan, Surrey, BC was named ‘Player of the Match’.
First-year KPU Eagles head coach, and 2014 PACWEST Coach of the Year, Julie King was tremendously proud of the performance her team put forth. “This was an incredible game for the ladies. They played their hearts out for the team, working together as a strong unit, and fighting for the ball,” she stated, “I can’t emphasize enough how proud I am of our team. These ladies have done an amazing job here today and we look forward to fighting for a medal against Douglas tomorrow.”
The Eagles 2014 PACWEST Provincial Championship bronze medal match against the Royals kicks off at 4:00pm tomorrow at Kermode Field at Quest University in Squamish, BC. VIU will face the Langara College Falcons tomorrow at 7:00pm for PACWEST gold; both teams have clinched a berth to the 2014 CCAA National Championships hosted by the Medicine Hat College Rattlers.
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 Collegiate 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.
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