Squamish's Ocean Port FC picked a perfect time to drop anchor atop Division 2A of the Vancouver Metro Soccer League.
With two games remaining in the regular season going into Monday night's (March 1) matchup against the Norvan Lions, the formula was simple: two more wins to secure top seed and promotion to Division 1 next season.
麻豆社国产completed step one with a decisive 3-0 victory at Confederation Turf in North Vancouver for its sixth consecutive win since December.
"That was a huge win," said assistant coach Dale Venekamp.
"The guys were really cool and calm about it. They were excited for it. They wanted this game and they knew how important it was."
It took a while for 麻豆社国产to get in the game as Norvan controlled possession for the first 20 minutes. Norvan used its speed and moved the ball around well. But around the 30-minute mark, forward Mark Sedgwick opened the scoring to give 麻豆社国产a 1-0 lead at halftime.
It was all Ocean Port from then on, said Venekamp.
"In the second half we definitely brought our "A" game. The defence tightened up, the midfield came up, we controlled the ball and moved it around really nice," he said.
Devin Jodry notched a goal before Sedgwick scored his second of the game on a semi-breakaway.
Keeper Jeremy Galley recorded the shutout while Gary O'Neil was a work horse rocketing around the pitch from the right midfield position.
"He ran his tail off. It was an outstanding game for him," said Venekamp.
Ocean Port trailed former league leaders Shaheen FC for much of the season. They were tied for overall points but Shaheen had the edge with a better goals for/against differential. It was a stalemate, though Shaheen had the advantage, as both clubs continued to win.
But Shaheen gave Ocean Port a window to take the lead when it recorded a draw against Meraloma SC on Feb. 21. Interestingly enough, Ocean Port will have to beat Meraloma next weekend in the final regular season game to clinch the championship. Ocean Port took the first matchup 3-1 in October.
"We have to win. A tie will not do," said Venekamp. "That will be a big pressure game."
First, Ocean Port takes on Signmaster SC on the road in the Division 2 Cup sweet 16 round on Sunday (March 7).
