It took five games to do it but Cowichan 49ers goalie Darian Achurch was finally been scored on.
The Masters soccer squad travelled to the University of Victoria on Saturday to play division rival UVic Alumni and beat the home team by a 4-2 score.
More important than soccer, however, was the special ceremony marking the unexpected passing of UVic’s David Ravenhill from a few years ago.
“Many of the 49ers played with and against David in the past,” said 49ers spokesperson Adam Taft. “His incredible contributions to, and accomplishments in, the local soccer community on Vancouver Island are remembered by all.”
During the game, the two teams traded goals early in the first half meaning Achurch’s shutout streak ended at just over four games.
The 49ers responded quickly though when Ryan Fusick evened the score 15 minutes later, with some fancy feet, sliding the ball through a sprawling defender and then slotting the ball past the onrushing UVic and former 49er keeper Rob Mcintyre.
A crushing blow came to the 49ers in the 35th minute, however, when, Matt Arnett went down with an injury.
“Matt has been our best player this season and the team wasted no time rallying around him wanting to win this one for him,” said team manager Neall Rowlings.
After a penalty kick resulting in a goal for UVic, Doug “New Guy” Nestor drove home a beauty after some ball movement by the team, resulting in a 2-2 score at the half.
The game-winning goal came off the foot of Kale Haley on an odd-man rush and Rowlings added the final dagger in the 78th minute to seal the deal.
The 49ers are now 5-0 on the season. Will they stay unbeaten? Find out at 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Sherman Road turf when they play host to Juan De Fuca.
In other men’s Masters soccer news, the Cowichan Steelheads fell to the Fernwood Dragons 5-1 on Sunday with team scoring leader Kevin Smith earning the lone goal for Cowichan.
The Steelheads are now 1-4 on the season.