Another Resilient Win

Going into the match-up with the Vancouver Selects, Surrey Guildford were welcoming a full roster for the first time in two and half months. Unfortunately, as with the last time they met, the warm-up claimed another victim with the SGU keeper sustaining an injury; forcing Surrey to call upon a back-up.

Vancouver were hard tackling and athletic from the opening whistle and SGU took some time respond. Although much of the play was in the midfield early on, Vancouver were able to create a scramble in the box that was eventually forced across the line to take the lead. The goal seemed to anger SGU as they took control of the game from that point forward. The Selects defended well but as Surrey began to create more chances, Vancouver eventually made a mistake; in this case they hauled down an SGU striker in the box. The PK was converted to draw even where it would remain at half.

In the second half Surrey Guildford showed real maturity in their play by winning both the physical battles and applying constant pressure on the Selects. While good scoring chances were hard to come by against the stingy Vancouver squad, SGU earned a second PK when a Selects defender handled the ball in the box. Surrey finished expertly, twice it turned out, as the kick had to be taken a second time because a Surrey player encroached the first time; the second strike was an improvement on the first and put SGU ahead 2-1. Vancouver were able to mount some late pressure but never did get a significant shot onto the Surrey goal in the second half (although a Selects defender did misplay a ball that ended up being a pretty good strike onto his own goal and was alertly and well stopped by his keeper). Final score 2-1.

Surrey Guildford travels to the island tomorrow for a make up League Game with the Victoria Capitals. With this game in the books SGU will have completed all their games in hand and will have a better picture where they sit in the standings.