All four local clubs in the Pacific Cup men’s soccer tournament posted first round victories last weekend.
The Pacific Cup is a 16-team single-knockout competition, featuring eight teams from the Vancouver Metro Soccer League (VMSL), and four each from the Fraser Valley (FVSL) and Vancouver Island (VISL) leagues.
Surrey United Firefighters easily won their opening round game, getting two goals from Andrew Proctor in a 5-0 victory over Cowichan FC Saturday afternoon at Cloverdale Athletic Park. Jeff Clarke, Kris Robazza and Mason Webb also tallied for United.
In other Pacific Cup play, Surrey FC Athletic Club of the FVSL edged VMSL rival Coquitlam Metro-Ford Wolves 3-2 in Coquitlam. Venny Atwell, Chris Kyd and Scott McDonald scored for the winners.
ICST Pegasus, the defending provincial champions who will compete at the national championships in one week, blasted Westside FC 4-0 in an all-VMSL battle. Azad Palani, Meysam Soltani, David Samra and Reynold Stewart were the Pegasus goal scorers.
Joti Thind and Danney Badesha scored to lift the Delta United Hurricanes to a 2-1 victory in Victoria over Bays United of the VISL.
- ICST Pegasus blew a two-goal lead in North Vancouver, but a single point earned in a 2-2 draw with Norvan Pacific lifted them to first place in the VMSL’s Premier Division.
Palani set up the first Pegasus tally, then scored himself to put the visitors up 2-0. Norvan netted their first goal just before halftime, then tied the contest early in the second half from the penalty spot.
Pegasus has two wins and a tie in three starts this season, and leads West Van FC and Columbus FC by one point.
Pegasus will host Surrey United tomorrow night (Friday) at Newton Athletic Park. United is 1-0-1 (won-tied-lost) in league play.
Delta, losers of their two VMSL Premier Division contests, are in Coquitlam to play the 0-1-2 Wolves.
- Surrey FC Athletic Club has won both of its FVSL Premier Division games, and is tied for first place with PoCo FC and the Chilliwack Rapids. They visit the Abbotsford Mariners (1-0-2) Sunday afternoon.
Northy Delta United looks for its first victory in Premier League play, when they host Langley United Saturday night at Delsom Field. North Delta has lost both games played this season.