After both teams earned points Saturday, Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Eagles soccer teams were both shutout Sunday afternoon.
The Eagles women’s team allowed a late agoal and fell 1-0 to the UBC-Okanagan Heat, while the men’s team was blanked 4-0 to conclude the first week of play in the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PacWest).
On Saturday against the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack, the Kwantlen women won 2-0, while the men took a point in their first game of the season, playing to a 1-1 tie.
Second-year defender Connor Sheepwash of Delta scored the goal for the men against the Wolfpack, a second-half tally that tied the contest.
“After a slow start, we were impressed with the players’ attitude to come back and tie 1-1,” said Ajit Braich, head coach of a men’s side that has nine new players on the roster. “We’re very proud of the players, taking a point in the first weekend is a good start, and now we’re looking forward to putting some work into correcting the unforced errors.”
Midfielder Jenessa Moore of Vernon, playing in her first game in the PacWest league, opened the scoring for Kwantlen Saturday against Thompson Rivers. The Wolfpack tied the contest before halftime, but Shanay Sangha netted a late goal that stood up as the winner.
The Eagles played UBC-Okanagan even for much of the game Sunday before coming up just short. Midfielders Marissa Dionne and Christina Henderson, and goaltender Nicole Gibbons were noted as standouts by head coach Gordon Smith, who was pleased with the effort in both games.
“We were unlucky not to score a bunch of goals Sunday, but I’m proud of the team’s efforts,” said Smith.
The two Eagles squads are on the road next weekend, for games Saturday in North Vancouver against the Capilano Blues and Sunday in Nanaimo to face the Vancouver Island Mariners. Women kickoff both days at noon, with the men playing at 2 p.m.