Packing Heat

By Davie Wong

Week six of PACWEST soccer action brought some the of the Royals most important games. With their playoff spots secured, both teams were fighting for playoff seeding, which was just as important.

               The women's soccer team hosted the VIU Mariners on Saturday, and even though the weather wasn't pleasant, the atmosphere of the game was certainly hot enough to keep both teams warm. The Royals came into the game packing heat, and it was Mikayla Hamilton that went off for the Royals. A quick strike from her gave the team an early lead that they held on to and threatened to extend throughout the first half.

               It wasn't until the second half that the Royals efforts were rewarded, as Mikayla Hamilton cashed in on her team's hard work with another goal. With the lead secured, the team continued to outplay the Mariners. Michelle Wessa capped off her team's domination with a goal of her own, and the Royals brushed aside their island rivals, 3-0.

               The second game of the week saw the women take on the Quest Kermodes. The Kermodes, although out of playoff contention, still looked to bring on the heat and threaten upsets. The Royals made sure to not miss-step in the first half of the game against the Kermodes, giving them all the respect the team deserves while pressuring the Kermodes in their attacking style. Andrea Perrotta was rewarded for her team's efforts with a fantastic placed shot that gave her team the lead. She was also called upon when her team was rewarded with a penalty shot. She cashed in on that opportunity, never looking back as she systematically threaded in her second goal.

               She would add a third to finish her hat-trick early into the second half. Her effort gave the team a solid lead, but the Kermodes still found a way to threaten. In fact, the Kermodes found a way to cash in on their own chances. A goal gave the Kermodes hope, and a second gave them life. But the deficit was too great, and the Royals held onto their three goals to win the game, 3-2.

               Meanwhile, the men faced their own battles. Going against their likely playoff matchup, the VIU Mariners, the men found themselves embroiled in an epic battle. Mateo Serka found the net early for the Royals, and his effort gave them a lead which the team could command.

               But the Mariners are not without their own scorers, and they found the Royals net shortly after to tie the game. The game played out to a drawl, but just when it looked like both teams would be content with a tie, the Mariners found a way to convert on an opportunity, and just like that, the Royals were down. Try as they might, the Royals could not find a way to equalize in the short amount of time they had, and they would fall to the Mariners 2-1.

               The loss was one of pride, as the point in the standings were not as important. But their next game against the Quest Kermodes was essential for the Royals to hold their 2-3 place seeding. A win for the Royals would all but seal their position in the standings. But a loss could see them tossing their playoff seeding to chance. Race Williams got the memo and made sure to make his effort count, cashing in on a gorgeous cross from Mateo Serka.

               The Kermodes we're also in desperation mode, knowing that their playoff lives were on the line. They equalized early into the second half to pressure the Royals. But it would be the story of the Williams brothers today, as Maxim Williams came off the bench to slot home a goal of his own to give his team the lead with a little more than five minutes on the clock. From there on out, it was a routine close for the Royals, who made up for their mistakes against VIU and closed out the game, taking it 2-1.