Ocean Port FC weathered cold rains on a foreign pitch to shutout Division 2 Cup opponent Signmaster SC on Sunday (March 7).
The 2-0 victory is Ocean Port's eighth in a row and advances the local club to the Vancouver Metro Soccer League's Division 2 Cup quarter finals.
Although strong winds made play difficult, Ocean Port adapted by doing what they do best, which is controlling possession along the ground and creating openings, said assistant coach Dale Venekamp.
"For the most part we played really good 麻豆社国产soccer: on the carpet, beautiful passing, give and goes, supporting. It was a good team win," he said.
Todd Rippon opened the scoring midway through the first half by diving to connect for a header. Russell Joel sent over a cross ball and Rippon somehow managed to get his head on it, said Venekamp.
"It was a beauty - one of the best headers I've seen in a long time," he said.
The game remained 1-0 in the second half until Mike Emerick scored an insurance goal.
Signmaster had a particularly speedy forward that they continually tried to send on long balls, but Ocean Port's defence quickly caught on. And Jeremy Galley played solid between the posts to help Ocean Port to its 10th shutout of the season. Ocean Port has only allowed 14 goals in 17 league games this season.
Although advancing to the final Cup quarter-final is impressive, Ocean Port players need to shift their focus. The Division 2A league leaders need one final victory to clinch first place and a promotion to Division 1 next season.
All that stands in their way is Meraloma SC, which is currently in fourth place in the 10-team division. Ocean Port took the first matchup 3-1 back in October. A loss or a draw would give Shaheen FC room to take the overall title.
Venekamp considers Saturday's (Mar. 13) road game against Meraloma the biggest game since Ocean Port returned to the VMSL three years ago. As far as he knows, a 麻豆社国产team hasn't played Division 1 since the 1980s, he said.
"It means a lot for 麻豆社国产soccer. When we started this team up three years ago that was always my goal, to have a first division team," he said.
"We're all feeling really confident going into this weekend."
If Ocean Port seals the title this weekend, Venekamp will be looking to create a Division 3 farm team to provide more opportunities for locals to play competitive men's soccer after graduating from U-18 Rep. The new team could also provide reinforcements to Ocean Port in cases of multiple injuries while helping condition players returning from injury.
Ocean Port's ultimate goal is to advance to the VMSL Premier League. But first, they have to take out Meraloma and its stingy defence on Saturday. Meraloma is second in the league for goals allowed, conceding just 19 in 16 games.
"What it's going to take is smart soccer, taking our chances when we can afford to take our chances."
