Whitecaps News Release - www.whitecapsfc.com
Sunday, July 20, 2008
VANCOUVER - Vancouver Whitecaps women closed out their regular season with a 2-1 home win over the Real Colorado Cougars on Sunday evening, a result which means Vancouver will host the W-League Western Conference Playoff Final next Saturday against the Seattle Sounders.
Vancouver hit for two quick goals early in the first half against Colorado, then survived a late surge by the Cougars, who were in a must-win situation.
The Whitecaps made three changes from the starting eleven that defeated Fort Collins last week. Forwards Jodi-Ann Robinson and Amy Vermeulen didn't dress, as both have been named Canadian Olympic Team alternates for Beijing. Getting the start instead was Julie Armstrong and midfielder Chelsea Stewart. As well, Erin McNulty was favoured in goal in place of Justine Bernier.
Just prior to kick-off, the Whitecaps announced their end-of-season awards. Defender Katrin Schmidt was named Newcomer of the Year, Lexi Marton picked up both Defender of the Year and Fan Favourite, goalkeeper Sian Bagshawe garnered the Blue and White Award for her outstanding participation in club and community initiatives, while Tiffeny Milbrett was declared Most Valuable Player for the second year in a row.
The Whitecaps were first to threaten, as eleven minutes in defender Katrin Schmidt made some good moves before seeing her 20-yard blast deflect just wide.
On 13 minutes Karla Schacher played the ball to Tiffeny Milbrett on the left who took it to the edge of the six yard box and chipped in a short cross which ended up going over the keeper and into the net from a tight angle.
Just three minutes later, the home side doubled their lead as Kaylyn Kyle on the left sent a diagonal ball into the box that Cougars keeper Briana Schulze went for and missed, giving Julie Armstrong an open net to volley into from six yards.
Colorado coach Brian Haynes then opted to change goalkeepers, replacing Schulze, who wasn't at her best, with back-up Katie Bell.
Schacher had two more good chances later in the half. On 34 minutes she fired a good low shot that Bell did well to push past the post. Five minutes later Schacher reacted first to a poor defensive clearance that sent the ball straight up, and powered a header from close range off the outside of the post.
It was 2-0 at half-time.
Colorado came on strong in the second half, as Vancouver started to run out of steam. The key player for the visitors was forward Nicole Lukens, who put a header of the crossbar from a corner kick on minutes 55. Colorado out-shot Vancouver 13 to six in the second frame, with Lukens getting most of them.
On minute 88, Colorado managed to pull a goal back, and predictably it was Lukens who scored, as she fired a high shot from the right edge of the box over goalkeeper Erin McNulty and in.
Vancouver almost replied instantly as seconds later, Kirsteen Buchan in space teed up a shot from the top of the box, but rattled it off the crossbar.
Back the other way, in the 90th minute, Lukens forced a great diving save from McNulty off a corner, then seconds later Vanessa Mais put another header off the underside of the bar from a sharp angle to the right. Deep into injury time, Mais had another crack at it from distance, but McNulty touched the shot wide.
Vancouver finishes the season at 7-2-3 for 24 points, good for second place in the Western Conference, while Colorado have to settle for fourth spot at 5-4-3 and 18 points. The Whitecaps now host the third-place Seattle Sounders on Saturday, July 26 in a 4:00 p.m. start at Swangard Stadium.
