Mariners claim Men's Soccer National Championship on home turf
GOLD MEDAL GAME: VIU Mariners 1, Douglas Royals 0
The hometown VIU Mariners claimed the 2017 CCAA Men's Soccer National Championship with a narrow 1-0 victory over the Douglas Royals.
For just the second time in CCAA men's soccer history, two teams from the same conference played for gold, and it was definitely a solid game between two rivals for the full 90 minutes.
Stefan Cukovic capitalized on a miscue by the Royals back line as he chipped one over the outstretched hands of Ryo Mizuno to take the lead.
David Turkstra made two key saves in the first half, punching away a couple of crosses which could have been dangerous chances.
There weren't too many opportunities created by the Royals in the second half, as VIU defenders Jeff Travis and Ryan McCurdy kept their end of the field clear. Douglas appeared to tie the game at one point but their attacker was called for being offside. The Mariners then shut the door and held onto their slim lead to claim the gold medals.
Mariners Player of the Game was Colin Knight, while Tetsuya Yoshinaga was named Player of the Game for Douglas.
BRONZE MEDAL GAME 10: Holland Hurricanes 1, Keyano Huskies 0
A tight defensive struggle required a fluke goal to decide the Bronze Medal as the Holland Hurricanes knocked off the Keyano Huskies 1-0.
Brandon Lund was solid in the Hurricanes net, stopping numerous Keyano chances in the first half, keeping the game scoreless.
In the 79th minute, Holland's Alexanros Iatrou delivered a long free kick on the Huskies' net. The attempt was initially punched away by Huskies keeper Jon Bruggeling only to have the ball bounce off a players' back and into the Keyano net.
The Huskies tried to create some late chances but were unable to secure any major scoring opportunities.
Holland's Bronze Medal win is just their second ever podium finish at a CCAA Men's Soccer National Championship. The Hurricanes will host next season's championship in Charlottetown PEI.
GAME 12: Durham Lords 2, NAIT Ooks 1
The Durham Lords scored in stoppage time in the second half to claim 5th place at the CCAA Men's Soccer National Championship with a 2-1 victory over the NAIT Ooks.
Lerenz Griffith played the hero on a great individual effort as he beat a couple of defenders and NAIT's keeper to find the corner of the net.
Earlier in the game, Andres Murillo Marragut fired a shot off a NAIT defender to open the scoring, before Nicholas Gomes finished off a great pass from Costouras to tie the game for the Ooks.
Francesco Marrazo was the NAIT Player of the Game making some phenomenal saves, while Murillo Marragut picked up the honours for the Lords.
GAME 11: Algonquin Thunder 2, Indiens d'Ahuntsic 1
The Algonquin Thunder took 7th place Saturday with a 2-1 win over the Indiens d'Ahuntsic in Nanaimo.
Lamine Diallo opened the scoring in the 34th minute for the Indiens with a great chip shot over the Algonquin keeper to make it 1-0.
In the second half, goals just 4 minutes apart from Ahmad Olleik and Frederico Leal gave the Thunder the edge.
Colin Gibson made numerous big saves for the Thunder as they thwarted the Indiens attack to pick up the win.
Players of the Game were Justin Gibson for the Thunder and Pierre Lamothe for the Indiens.
