Div. I
The Div. 1 Cowichan Axis FC met Victoria Highlanders FC at the Sherman Road turf on Friday, Sept. 6 to kick off Vancouver Island Soccer League's winter schedule.
"Highlanders are a younger developmental team, while the Cowichan boys are a bit of a mix between young, and more experienced," said VISL executive director Vince Greco in his pre-game predictions. Greco picked Victoria to take the win on the road but he hadn't quite anticipated how well Cowichan plays at home. The game resulted in a 2-2 draw with Devin Jack potting a penalty kick and Andres Algarin scoring off a set piece for Cowichan.
Axis FC next travels to Comox Valley United on Sept. 14.
Premier
The premier women, Cowichan FC, start their season on Sept. 13 at Gorge United.
Masters
Vic West visited the Cowichan 49ers at the Sherman Road turf on Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. for the first game of the masters division. The 49ers picked up where they left off, with another victory, this one 3-1, with an absolute banger from Blair Sturrock, a crafty kick off a loose ball from Matt Arnett and a quick dribble and dump by Gary Anderson.
"We have added some more key pieces this year to solidify our team and give us the best possible chance at achieving our ultimate goal of winning provincials," noted player/manager Neall Rowlings. "We have been so close for a number of years and now believe we have the team to do it."
The 49ers hit the road for an 8 p.m. game against the Lakehill Masters on Sept. 14 at Braefoot Park.
The Steelheads travelled to Huddy Huddy FC in Victoria on Sept. 7 and waste no time putting the ball in the net. Just 10 minutes into the game Sergio Soto scored his first of a brace only to be followed up four minutes later by Kevin Smith, who also scored two in the contest. The two men accounted for four of Cowichan's eight goals, with Patrick Foley, Mike Kennefick, an own goal, and Philip Turner accounting for the other four.
Jesse Davis earned a clean sheet in goal in the 8-0 win.
The Steelheads next play at 8 p.m. on Sept. 14 against the Vic West Casuals at the Sherman Road turf.
The Cowichan Cougars Over-30 women kick off their season on Sept. 15 at Salt Spring United.
Div. III
Cowichan Oak FC met JDF All-Flows at the Sherman Road turf on Sept. 7 at 4 p.m. Nathan Brown scored the first goal of the contest to put Cowichan up but that's all they'd get, with their opponents locking down the defence and pushing to a 6-1 victory.
Oak plays Cook Street United next, in Victoria on Sept. 15.
The Cowichan Storm women's side also begin their season on Sept. 15 against Riptides FC at 4 p.m. at the Sherman Road turf.
Div. V
Cowichan FC opens their season against Gorge FC on Sept. 14 at 4 p.m. at the Sherman Road turf.
