Friday marked the last home game of the regular season part of the schedule. With both Rovers teams having plenty to play for (men, league title, women, playoff berth), and another derby looming on Sunday in North Vancouver, the “big game” vibe was in the air. Sunny Swangard did it’s part, and we brought out a big green tent to provide a bit of shade.
Our women were up first, looking to get a good grasp on the last playoff spot, and maybe seeking a bit of revenge after the Burnabeagles snatched the 3 points in the rain with the final kick a few weeks back. The ‘Beags are locked in a battle for second spot, so points were important for both teams.
Friends, it was a warm one. Credit to the players, because I would have hated to be running around out there. I broke into a sweat on my walk to the beer tent. On my way back from refreshment break, the scoreboard updated to read 1 under BFC’s name. Now the Rovers would be chasing in the heat.
Coming back from the halftime shade seeking mission, with the sun starting to make it’s way behind the grandstand and providing at least a little relief, the Rovers tied it up after 10 minutes. From there, it was the home side that was on the front foot. We were hot, hiding under the tent, but the team was looking like a lead was in the future, so still joyous. Which made BFC’s goal in the 82nd minute so much more annoying. 2-1 BFC. Tick, tock.
Now, my feelings on stoppage time are pretty well known at this point. I turned to one of my fellow pirates and started to say “well, we’ve still got ‘discretionary time if the referee isn’t too hot'”, with the sarcasm melting off my lips. Before I was able to get it all out, we got a moment of magic.
Soccer types will say it was a ‘first touch volley past the keeper’ from Kaitlan Cerney in the 89th minute. I prefer to say it was a long lob from around midfield by Alyssa Scott, and before it hit the ground, Kaitlan Cerney looked back over her shoulder, saw the ball coming, and without letting it hit the ground, flicked the pass past the keeper from a preposterous distance. Absolutely incredible display of athleticism, coordination, talent…..make up your own words here. What an amazing goal INSIDE OF 90 MINUTES. (No stoppage time required). 2-2. Massive. It’s only Friday July 5, but there’s your goal of the week/month/season.
The final whistle went. One point each. For our Rovers, a big point, with a massive showdown on Sunday that could clinch the last playoff spot. Whew. Let’s take a break….
Or, lets gather around our phones, and laptops and watch Canada vs Venezuela in a penalty shootout at Copa America. I had ducked out immediately after greeting the players post game, so I was watching solo in the parking lot. Down in the south end, with about a 10 second delay, was the Swanguardians, huddled around a cell phone. In the bleachers above, another group was huddled, roughly 8 seconds behind the stream than the supporters. So I got to do a quiet little celebration after Koné’s kick…..pause….big roar from the Swanguardians….pause…big roar from the Swanguard stands. It was a fun little moment while I cooled off in the shade with some water. Go Canada.
