(BRAEDAN WILLIS, VIKES COMMUNICATIONS)

VICTORIA- The University of Victoria Vikes women's soccer team suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Fraser Valley Cascades on Oct. 19 at Centennial Stadium in Victoria.

Fourth-year Cascade Brittany Zacharuk potted two goals in the second half to bring her season total to nine. Zacharuk's first goal came from a penalty kick, which proved to be the game winner.

"Brittany has been on fire this year," said Cascades head coach Rob Giesbrecht. "She has really stepped up her game this season and has led by example. She has been outstanding for us and her second goal tonight showed how she has developed into a strong finisher."

With the loss, the Vikes will need to beat a tough Trinity Western squad tomorrow night in Victoria if they want to clinch fourth place in the pacific division of Canada West.

"Trinity Western is a very good team so it will be a tough test for us tomorrow," commented Vikes head coach Tracy David. "I am happy to play them now because once the playoffs come you will likely have to face them again at some point." 

The Best scoring opportunity in the opening half came in the dying moments when the Vikes were rewarded with a penalty shot during injury time. Not only did Fraser Valley keeper Joven Sandhu stop the shot from the U SPORTS Female Athlete of the Week Rachel Baird, she recovered in time to deflect the rebound out of harms way. 

Third-year Vike Georgia Bignold's corner kick in the 36^thminute would hit the far post before being cleared away by a Cascades defender. Both teams would hit the locker room at the break tied at 0-0. 

The Cascades would be given their own opportunity to take the lead from a penalty kick early in the second half. After a UFV player was taken down the in box, Brittany Zacharuk made no mistake of her penalty kick and would pot her eighth goal on the season to give the Cascades a 1-0 lead in 53^rdminute. 

Zacharuk would score her second of the night in the 67^thminute. Harneet Dadrao's pass was placed perfectly, allowing Zacharuk time to run onto the pass and fire it past Victoria goalkeeper Puck Louwes. That would be all the Cascades would need before closing out the match, winning by a final score of 2-0.

The Vikes will remain at home and host the Trinity Western Spartans tomorrow night, Oct 21 in what will be their final home game of the season. The Cascades will head back to the mainland tomorrow to face the UBC Thunderbirds to conclude their regular season schedule. 

SCORING SUMMARY
                1          2:         F
UFV:          0         2:         2
VIC:          0         0:         0
 
GAME MVPs

UFV: #19 Brittany Zacharuk

VIC: #5 Katie Carrothers