A trio of teams from the North Shore fell by identically heartbreaking 1-0 scores in the B.C. Soccer Adult Cup provincial finals played May 11 in Langford.
In the women's A Cup the NSGSC Renegades came close to knocking off a juggernaut but ultimately fell short as Surrey United won their record 10th consecutive provincial title. Surrey scored in the first half and the Renegades poured on the pressure in the second looking for an equalizer but couldn't beat goalkeeper Theresa Nuttal, the game's MVP. The win earned Surrey another trip to the national championships scheduled for October in Halifax.
In the men's A Cup final West Van FC suffered the same fate as the Renegades, losing 1-0 to the same club - Surrey United. West Van had a horrible start to the game as central defender Drew Gelley was given a straight red card for a professional foul in just the second minute of play. Colin Streckman converted the resulting penalty kick to give Surrey an early lead.
West Van, however, stayed aggressive throughout the game and had chances to equalize despite being down a man. They even drew a penalty shot of their own in the second half but Surrey goalkeeper Andrew Fink stopped Paul Dailly's attempt. West Van continued to fight but could not find the back of the net.
"Even with the loss (of Gelley to the red card), I thought it was our game," said West Van manager Andy Bramley. "I couldn't be more proud of them. If that penalty kick went in, maybe it's different, but it didn't."
Surrey head coach Rob Reed also had praise for the West Van squad.
"It was a big advantage to be up a man early, although it was clearly a red card," said Reed. "To their credit, West Van did not give up. They are not made to quit. I know that team very well and it was an incredible performance, really."
West Van FC also tasted a 1-0 defeat in the men's U21 final, losing the Doug Day Cup in overtime when Adam Karrasch of Guildford United scored to break a 0-0 tie. Guildford goalkeeper Matthew Knees was named the game's MVP.
Andy Prest, with files from Victoria Times Colonist
