VICTORIA - The University of Victoria Vikes women's soccer team put on a first-class show on Feb. 7 after an impressive 1-1 tie with the University of Central Florida Knights in Orlando. The tie was the first of four matches that the Vikes women have lined up on their annual spring Florida tour. The Knights are a NCAA Division 1 team currently ranked 13th and the tie was much to the enjoyment of Vikes head coach
Tracy David.
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"We played really, really well defensively," said David, who highlighted the performance of the Vikes back four of
Elise Butler, Brigette Greig,
Amy Lawrence and
Samantha Lee. "We worked hard out there and our back four were so solid today. This is our post-season and we know we will always get great competition down here."
The Knights went up 1-0 on a goal in the 44th minute.
"Usually when this team goes up by a goal they can ago on to put three of four more in," added David.
The Vikes' defence put any chance to another goal against and went on to tally in the 75th minute to even the game. Carly Branion-Calles was the victor for the Vikes, chipping a ball up and in from 25 yards out. The Vikes lost 2013 leading scorer
Emma Greig at the 10th minute mark. The third-year striker had to exit the pitch for stitches after a collision on an incidental header.
As well, junior national team member and two-time CIS All-Canadian
Jaclyn Sawicki was under the weather, only able to contribute in 45 minutes of the game.
The Vikes showcased the depth of their bench that entertained the Victoria crowds throughout the 2013 Canada West season and were more than pleased with their 1-1 efforts.
Up next, the Vikes will face Floriday Atlantic on Feb. 10, Florida Gulf Coast on Feb. 12 and Florida International University on Feb. 13 before returning home to prepare for the Victoria-hosted and annual Keg Spring Cup, set for Mar. 22-23. The Keg Spring Cup will feature the most talented teams in the Canada West including national champions Trinity Western, as well as Alberta and UBC.
Note: The UCF Knights was the home team for Kendra Flock prior to her time competing with the Vikes and Team Canada. With UVic and under coach David, Flock was a Canada West All-Star in 2009 and UVic Athlete of the Year in 2010.
