An incredible save by goalkeeper Darian Achurch has catapulted the Cowichan 49ers into the final of the Tony Grover Cup masters soccer competition.
Cowichan held a 2-1 lead into the last minute of its Cup semifinal game and seemed poised for victory at the Sherman Road turf in Duncan when the Prospect Lake Lakers were awarded a penalty kick with a chance to tie.
Achurch guessed right and knocked away Prospect’s hopes of extending the game to a penalty shootout, cementing Cowichan’s place in the championship game.
“Darian’s save was huge,” enthused team spokesman Adam Taft. “Every game at this time of the season means so much. Prospect battled us and, despite a few bounces not going our way, we still earned the right to defend the Grover trophy.”
Prospect Lake actually opened the scoring in the game after just 12 minutes of play by converting a penalty kick.
“It’s only the second time all season we have played from behind,” noted Taft.
Despite being down early, the 49ers played their game and were rewarded at the 30-minute mark. Tyler Hughes made a few Prospect Lake defenders miss on the goal line and found a streaking Stu Barker to tie it.
The 49ers continued to pressure the Lakers for the remainder of the first half, but they defended well and the half ended 1-1.
The 49ers were again in control of the ball for long periods of the second half.
They finally hit pay dirt in the 60th minute off a Hughes corner. Darcy Penner connected with it for a drive to the net that was finished with a tip-in by Brad Thorne.
The score remained 2-1 until the late penalty shot and Achurch preserved it with his game-winning heroics.
Cowichan and Gorge will clash for the Grover Cup title on Saturday, March 25 at 2:30 p.m. at Victoria’s Starlight Stadium.
“We are expecting a great game,” Taft noted. “Gorge has been in every game we have played them, each one decided by a goal or two.”
It’s hoped a big crowd of Cowichan fans will make a presence at the game to cheer on the team.
“We need fans at Starlight for our televised game,” added Neall Rowlings.
“Then we can put our sights on provincials, but we are not taking Gorge lightly. They are on a very good run right now and have always battled us hard.”