Royals mark their territory in first home game
By Jessica Berget, Editor-in-Chief
I must admit; I used to look down on sports quite a bit. It was only recently that I took an interest in them, so much so that I decided to start watching them and even report on them. With no prior experience, knowledge of the terms, rules, or regulations of the world of sports, I attempt to cover the local games of the Douglas College Royals. This week: Women’s soccer.
It was a cold and cloudy Sunday morning for the first home game of the Douglas College Royals women’s soccer team but that didn’t stop them from bringing the heat against the Langara Falcons. With a new year and many new faces on the team, the Royals had a lot to prove for their first home game.
After a couple blunders with the ball being kicked off the field and some shot attempts blocked, Douglas dominated the first few minutes of the first period attempting goal after goal and stayed hard on Langara’s side. The Falcons tried to shift the game to the Royals’ side of the field, but the Royals kept coming hard right back at them. In the first five minutes, after some struggle for possession of the ball, the Falcons gained control and a shot was attempted at the Royals goal but was caught seamlessly by goalie Elisha Machado. The first of many clean saves in the game. Two minutes after a great display of defence, the Royals make their first goal of the game, giving them the advantage.
Mikaela Montagano, a second-year midfield, came out strong fighting for the ball against two other Falcons. After a couple tumbles trying to get the ball from the other team, the Royals finally took possession again and got a chance at their second goal with forward player Gracie Quesnelle making a shot that narrowly missed the net. Falcons once again tried to gain control of the game, edging on Douglas’ side but never staying long. Royals fought back even harder at the rise of determination. After a couple penalty shots and a little midfield shuffle, Langara kicked a shot into Douglas’ net with a sliding save by Machado once again. It’s Machado’s first year as goalie for the Royals, but it’s clear she is a seasoned player and will fare well in the season.
Douglas took control of the ball once again, and forward player Rachel Kilbrai tried to sneak in a shot. Royals defence successfully kept the ball off their side and away from the net. This hard work paid off as 22 minutes into the first period the Royals made their second goal. At this point Langara clearly stepped up their game, trying to catch up with Douglas by matching their energy. In a rapid back and forth in the midfield, Quesnelle made another clean shot to Langara’s goal but aimed too high, hitting the fence.
2-0 Royals, the Falcons tried to get the ball back but were dominated by Royals constantly. When they finally did, they attempted a shot from across the field, missing the net by a mile. Thirty-five minutes in, the five-year midfield player Taylor Wettig was a firecracker and exemplified it by making two attempts at a third goal in quick succession, but Langara’s goalie saved one shot in the top corner, and the second one narrowly missed the net. Once the Falcons took possession and led the ball to the Royals’ field, but it was intercepted by Machado once again. After a couple other good tries at the goal, first period was over, one nothing Royals.
Second period kicked off with a midfield battle for the ball that lasted for the first seven minutes. It was finally broken up when Quesnelle tried for another goal but it bounced off the post. Falcons had a few penalties that were intercepted by the Royals. While Machado was on the other side of the net, the Falcons make the first goal of the game. Caitlin Limmayog-Danielson was subbed by Madison Martin who started off her play with a flying kick over Langara’s net.
Whether it was the fine mist that had enveloped the field, or the fact that it was the last 10 minutes of the game, both teams tried gaining possession for the ball but kicked it up to the sky multiple times. The final minutes were announced and both teams gave a great final push to take control of the ball, but the Royals ultimately took it away winning 3-0.
