A memorable 12-month journey concluded in heartbreak for Richmond F.C.
The premier women’s soccer team saw its bid to repeat as Provincial “A” Cup champions end with a 2-1 quarter-final overtime loss to Surrey United last Sunday in Cloverdale.
The entertaining match was a battle of Metro Women’s Soccer League heavyweights with Surrey losing just once in the regular season (13-0-1), while Richmond posted a 10-2-2 record.
The hosts took a 1-0 lead into the second half when Richmond elevated its game and dominated much of the next 45 minutes. Oregon State Unversity grad Jenna Richardson notched the equalizer when she neatly curled a shot inside the near post from about 17-yards out.
The visitors had chances to take the lead but the rivals headed to 30 minutes of extra time.
Surrey regrouped after the break and took advantage of a defensive breakdown to take the lead. Richmond’s chance to answer back suffered a blow when Jaclyn Dunnett was issued a direct red card for a dangerous kick. Still, the girls generated three excellent opportunities playing a man short and simply couldn’t convert them.
“They left it all on the field today and I couldn’t have asked for anything more from them,” said Richmond F.C. head coach Jim Caldwell. “I thought the officiating wasn’t great for either team but especially us. That should have been yellow card at the most, not a straight red. They also have a couple of very experienced players that were pushing and shoving all the time. If you can get away with it, why not?”
Richmond won the Provincial Cup last May then played the Washington State champions in mid-July. The locals launched the 2016-17 regular season campaign in early September before representing B.C. at the nationals in St. John’s over the Thanksgiving Weekend where they earned silver.
Injuries have plagued the team all season. Standout striker Caitlin Davie was unavailable Sunday after a fluke mishap the previous weekend in a friendly. Davie was co-winner of the Richmond Sports Awards’ Adult Female Athlete of the Year while Richmond F.C. was named Adult Team of the Year.
“We sustained injuries before we went to nationals and it has carried right through the entire season,” added Caldwell. “There always seemed to be two or three starters unavailable every week.”
With a young team, Caldwell is confident the team will come back rejuvenated in the fall and contend for provincial honours again.
The club’s Selects team remains in Provincial “B” Cup contention after a big win over Metropolitan last weekend. They will take on Westside in the semi-finals on Sunday.
