By Nathan Hutton (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: October 29, 2014
This past weekend was the chance for our men and women’s soccer teams to qualify for the Canada West final four. This second trip to Vancouver Island was a great opportunity for growth and improvement — but was it enough to increase their chances of getting to nationals?
The rain was falling fast and strong, making the field conditions some of the worst in recent memory. But, as Coach Rob Giesbrecht told Cascades media, the team adapted well.
“One of our culture statements is, ‘Whatever it takes,’ and today wasn’t a day for pretty football. Today was ‘pull your sleeves up and get after it.’ And I think we did that,” he said.
The Cascades were led once again in the playoffs by Carley Radomski, who dominated in the rain. The second-year forward has been performing incredibly all season long, and her place as one of the biggest offensive weapons from the Cascades was unchallenged this game. She registered a goal in both the first and second half, which were her only shots on the net. Her play has represented the Cascades well all season long; the team is known to step up when it is most necessary and are extremely tough to beat, even when their backs are up against the wall.
Previously this year in the Cascades’ two games against the University of Victoria, they struggled to beat the Vikes, tying both games 1-1. This game was different; it was win or go home. This game was about beating the fifth-ranked team in the country. It was everything the Cascades play for — and they thrived. Their offense was dominant; they pitched a shutout and scored three goals.
If this game is anything to go by, the Cascades are ready to show the country they deserve more national recognition than they have received all season, never having been ranked higher than 10th nationally and only having ranked once in the eight different ranking weeks.
For the Cascades men’s team, it was a strange weekend. They were originally scheduled to play after the women’s game on Saturday night, but that didn’t happen. Their game was moved to noon on Sunday due to field conditions. The game was once again changed early Sunday afternoon when it was announced the game would be changing playing fields.
After all the delays and distractions, the game finally started on Sunday afternoon for a chance to reach the Canada West final four like their female counterparts.
The game, a back-and-forth affair, headed into overtime with the score tied at 1. The men’s hopes were crushed by the Vikes’ Cameron Stokes, who scored in extra time to give his team the 2-1 lead. It proved to be the nail in the coffin for the Cascades, whose season ended with the loss.
The women’s soccer team will continue their playoff run next weekend in the Canada West Final Four.
