Taming the Falcons

By Davie Wong

            This coming week of PACWEST soccer brings the Royals face to face against their Lower Mainland rivals, the Langara Falcons. Both Royals' team will be facing off against the Falcons in a doubleheader that will span the length of the weekend.

            The women will kick off the action on both days. Coming off a win against the Capilano Blues last weekend, the team will be looking to take the whole six points away from the Falcons while also grabbing themselves six points. The point movement would put them in first place in the PACWEST conference. It would be the first time in the season that the Royals end the week in first place, and the first time since the team won gold last year at the PACWEST Provincial Championships.

            However, standing in their way is the current league leaders, the Langara Falcons. The Falcons will be entering the weekend flying high after a hefty win against the Quest Kermodes last weekend. After an okay start to their season, the Langara squad has found a way to kick it on and have steamrolled their way through their last four games with a record of 3-1. In fact, their last loss, which was handed to them by a streaking VIU team, was their first loss of the season.

            The Royals will need some oven mitts if they're going to handle the red-hot Falcons. Luckily for them, they have some fire power of their own. Royals' midfielder Andrea Perrotta is on a roll and firing on all cylinders. The second year player, who spent much of her first year sidelined with an injury, has been absolutely clutch for the Royals as of late. She has scored in her last two games, and both of those goals were game deciding. Her scoring touch has her tied for second on the PACWEST scoreboard.

            If Perrotta and the Royals squad remain in form, and the Falcons come in just as hungry, we can expect to see sparks fly between these two teams.

            After that heated battle, it only gets more intense. The men's team will also be taking on their rivals, the Langara Falcons. The last time these two teams met, the Royals barely brawled out a win in a testy battle that placed the referee's nerves on a cliff's edge. While discipline wasn't a factor then, it has to be a factor now that the teams are in midseason. Every player matters, and the Royals have been losing them left and right to disciplinary misconducts.

            While their seasons have differed since the last time these two met, the importance of this week's matchup has not changed. The Falcons will be desperate to pick up any points they can, and I doubt they will hold anything back. The Royals will need to remain calm and disciplined, while maintaining their flamboyant offence.

            Luckily for the Royals, Langara has struggled on all fronts this year. Their defence has been poor at best, and they allow an average of three goals a game. Their offence has been nowhere near good enough to back up the hole the defence digs for them. However, rivalry matches usually bring out the best in teams, and the Royals should be ready for a slugfest.

            Both teams will be returning home to play the Falcons on Sunday, after playing the team away on Langara's field. The action at Cunnings Field will start with the women playing at 12pm, and continue with the men playing at 2:30pm.  Come out and support your Royals!