This week’s opponent
Kamloops United
Sunday, May 25
- TSS Rovers Women (2-3-1, 5th) v Kamloops United Women (1-5-0, 8th) @ Swangard at 2:00pm
- TSS Rovers Men (4-1-1, 1st) v Kamloops United Men (4-1-1, 2nd) @ Swangard at 4:30pm
A top of the table clash for the men, and a chance to grab some points at home for the women set up this weeks clashes at Swangard.
Kamloops United have rebranded this year after the Rivers FC program joined the Kamloops Youth Soccer Association. As they did last year, the men’s team are strong while the women’s team are languishing at the bottom of the table. Last week the women’s team got their first win of the season, beating Burnaby 3-2. The men beat Burnaby in their fixture by a slim 1-0 scoreline. The men’s team features Daniel Sagno who was a fan favourite at TSS Rovers in 2019 when he tore up the wing and lead the team in shots (17) and goals (5) in our second USL 2 campaign.
Last week’s recap
Match reports by Corey Almond
Women’s Team
Rovers 2-2 Nanaimo
Nanaimo United overturned a two-goal deficit to rescue a draw at a rainy Swangard Stadium.
Despite the home team maintaining possession in the early stages, it was the visitors who should have gone ahead. Jade Dillabough hit the inside of the post before hitting the opposite post with the follow-up.
Katie Bishop went close for TSS with a long-range effort that was turned wide by Nanaimo keeper Milena Ramirez. Bishop tried again five minutes later; this time Ramirez spilled the shot into the path of Jessica Merk, who rolled it into the empty net to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
Now in control, TSS doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute when Delana Friesen netted from close range.
Nanaimo had created some half chances throughout the first half, but it was a goalkeeping error that brought them back into the match. A weak pass from Ashley Strand was intercepted by Ava Alexander, who had an easy finish to bring the visitors back into it.
The second half lacked the same bite as the first until Nanaimo was awarded a penalty in the 77th minute for a foul by keeper Strand. Substitute Victoria Cronkhite made no mistake from the spot as she fired into the bottom left corner. It was the only real action of the second period, but it was enough for Nanaimo to earn themselves a valuable away draw.
“Rather than looking at the conceded lead, maybe it’s better to look at the chances that weren’t capitalized on earlier on in the game.” said TSS head coach Kevin Booker.
“Credit to the opponent in terms of changing how they approached things. They made it a lot harder for us to play through them in the second half. Whether it was energy or the opponent adjusting, we certainly didn’t have the same level of success in the second half.”
TSS Rovers: Jessica Merk (22’), Delana Friesen (32’)
Nanaimo United: Ava Alexander (45’), Victoria Cronkhite (77’)
Men’s Team
Rovers 6-1 Nanaimo
TSS Rovers hit six as winless Nanaimo United continued their poor start to the season.
It took just three minutes for the home team to take the lead against a Nanaimo side that hadn’t won all season. Koji Poon found Ivan Mejia in the box before the Colombian, with his first touch, struck venomously into the top left corner.
With their backs against the wall, Nanaimo struggled to contain the early pressure of TSS and conceded a second in the tenth minute through Shaya Zarjampour’s deft header. It was the centre-back’s first goal of the season; before long he’d have his second.
From Ali Zohar’s corner, Zarjampour was there again to head in his second of the afternoon. TSS was three goals up inside a delightful half hour.
Nanaimo had only scored once all season but was given the chance of a second when Tristan Otuomagie tripped Declan Brown just inside the box. Suka Behery converted to give the away side a glimmer of hope as the first half ended 3-1.
The second half began in a similar fashion to the first. Otuomagie hit a pinpoint ball over the top to Mejia before the forward finished acrobatically to make it four just two minutes in.
Minutes later it was five, as Lowell Wright bagged his first in TSS colours following a Nanaimo deflection off his long-range shot.
Nanaimo settled, but could do little to prevent a sixth TSS goal. From 30 yards out, Mejia expertly slotted his free kick into the top left corner, earning himself a deserved hat trick.
TSS Rovers: Ivan Mejia (3’, 48’, 86’), Shaya Zarjampour (10’, 29’), Lowell Wright (52’)
Nanaimo United: Suka Behery (31’)
News shorts
Accolades are flowing as our teams find form. The League 1 BC April teams of the month were announced this past week and several Rovers featured. Sophie Kramer was the sole Rover in the women’s team of the month. Four former Rovers now playing elsewhere in League 1 BC were named to that team: Raya Athwal, Reese Moffat, Jenna Baxter and Vanessa Tome.
On the men’s side Kian Proctor, Ivan Mejia and Michael Hennessy were named to the team of the month, with Hennessy also being named the League 1 BC Player of the month. He’s been fantastic in the midfield for us all season.
Last week also saw Delana Friesen recognized for her performance against Nanaimo United and she was named the Performer of the Week. The Match week 6 team of the week also included Ashley Strand and Katie Bishop, while on the men’s side Cal Weir, Shaya Zarajampour and Ivan Mejia made the team.
Juan de Fuca Plate Standings
A six point week from Altitude gives them a commanding lead in the Juan de Fuca Plate standings. Unity have a match day in hand on the leaders while the Rise/Whitecaps have played seven match days. The chase is on!
| Altitude | 27 |
| Unity | 22 |
| Rovers | 20 |
| Langley | 17 |
| Evolution | 14 |
| Rise/Whitecaps | 13 |
| Kamloops | 13 |
| Burnaby | 13 |
| Nanaimo | 6 |
