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Cowichan FC women draw with Gorge United

Cougars beat Propect Lake 3-2 on Friday
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Fresh off a win over Nanaimo United FC on Sept. 10, the Cowichan FC div. 1 women played to a 0-0 draw with Gorge United in what Coach Adam Paulson called “a cagey affair” in their first home game of the season the Sunday before last.

This past Sunday they had a bye — just enough time to reflect on their first victory.

“The two teams were well matched, and chances were at a premium, as the game was largely played in the midfield,” Paulson noted.

It took a full 30 minutes before either team had a scoring opportunity.

“The first chance fell to Cowichan in the 30th minute, as the ball was sent across the top of the 18-yard line to Kat Cook, her shot spiralling wide of the post,” Paulson said. “The next chance also fell to Cowichan, with Jenna Waddy breaking into the box, but the Gorge goalie cut down the angle well, and fell on Jenna’s shot.”

After Gorge failed to convert a scoring opportunity of their own, the best chance of the match went to Cowichan in the 41st minute.

“Taya Brubacher slid the ball over to Dennene Wallace about eight yards out, but her shot was well saved by the Gorge keeper, who parried the ball back to Jada Hill,” Paulson explained. “Hill settled the ball to shoot, but her shot was blocked by a desperate lunge and Gorge survived the scare.”

The second half was even tighter, as the defence midfield tandem of Tianna Chau and Celia Burdet continued to disrupt the Gorge attack.

The last chance for Cowichan fell to Cade Smith, but her shot was eaten up by the Gorge keeper.

“I felt our attackers suffered from the heat, as temperatures on the field were higher than we expect for this time of year,” Paulson said. “We looked a little slow to react from an attacking point of view, and that probably contributed to the 0-0 score line.”

Gorge was unable to solve the defence led by Colleen Bob, Kristina Biello, Norah O’Reilly-Ryan.

“I was happy at the way we limited Gorge’s chances, and starting the year with a win and a draw after moving up a division is a good return on points,” Paulson said. “O’Reilly-Ryan had to limp off the pitch after taking the full force of the Gorge player’s kick in the leg, but her heroics earned her the team Hard Hat for Hardest Worker, and the gratitude of Cowichan goalie Kate Collins, who recorded her second shutout to start the year.”

Cowichan returns to action at 12 p.m., Oct. 2 at the Sherman Road Turf against Lakehill FC.