Even when shorthanded, ICST Pegasus is playing perfect soccer.
The Vancouver Metro Soccer League team ran its Premier Division record to a perfect 7-0-0 (won-tied-lost) with a 3-1 victory over Surrey rival CCBRT Friday night at Newton Athletic Park. Pegasus, with 21 points, and the 6-1-0 West Van FC have pulled away from the pack at the one-third mark of the season. West Van trails Pegasus by two points, but are already nine points clear of the Langley Hurricanes and Surrey United Firefighters, two teams tied for third at 2-4-1.
Friday’s win came while Pegasus was missing several starters and had nobody on their roster available as substitutes.
“We had only 11 regular players, and the three players on the bench were U21 call-ups,” said head coach Paul Bahia. “We were missing four key starters including league-leading scorer Sahil Sandhu, who is currently out with a injury.
“I told the boys we needed to dig deep for the win and I thought they played exceptionally well.”
Ryan Powell opened the scoring late in the first half, then Adam Costly netted the winner early in the second. Bhaj Khattra added an insurance goal with 30 minutes to play.
Yassin Essa netted the lone CCBRT goal.
“In the back end Gurjit Dhaliwal, Jagminder Sajjan and Diz Kambere all turned in rock-solid performances,” said Bahia.
Pegasus will visit Columbus FC (1-4-1) Saturday in Vancouver.
The Firefighters ended a four-game winless streak, which included three draws, with a 3-2 win Sunday over the Coquitlam Metro Ford Wolves at Cloverdale Athletic Park.
Nigel Marples gave Surrey an early lead with a goal just 15 minutes into the game, but by halftime, the visiting Wolves had the 2-1 lead.
Kerman Pannu pulled the Firefighters even in the 70th minute, then Lucas Johns notched the winner with just 10 minutes to play.
United will also be at home again this weekend, hosting West Van FC at 3 p.m. Sunday in Cloverdale.