Remembering 2014

The PACWEST soccer championship returns to Quest University for the first time since 2014. The top four teams will duke it out beginning Friday October 27th with the women’s bracket.

The 2014 edition was one of the most exciting championships in recent memory. On the women’s side each game was determined by just one goal including the gold medal game which the VIU Mariners won 1-0 shutting out the Langara Falcons. The men’s side was determined by two goals or less with the gold medal decided by penalty kicks with the Douglas Royals beating the Mariners 4-3.

The women certainly had a flare for the dramatics. In the semis both games were determined in overtime when the Falcons beat the Royals 2-1, while the top ranked Mariners squeaked by the KPU Eagles 1-0.

Then in the medal games the Royals beat the Eagles in penalty kicks 4-3 to win the bronze. In the gold medal contest the Mariners held on for another 1-0 win over the Falcons to punch their ticket to the CCAA Nationals.

Over on the men’s side both semis again needed a little extra time. The Royals beat the Eagles 2-0 in overtime (prior to sudden death rules) and the Mariners beat the host Kermodes in penalty kicks 4-3.

The bronze medal game was the only game that didn’t need extra time when the Kermodes shutout the Eagles 2-0. Then in the gold game, penalty kicks were again needed as the Royals beat the Mariners 4-3.

Speaking of exciting, off the pitch Pharrell Williams had the #1 song in Canada with “Happy” in 2014 while “12 Years a Slave” won Best Picture at the Oscars.

The 2017 edition of the PACWEST championships will no doubt produce another fun atmosphere at Quest University with the Kermodes hoping a little home cookin’ can win them a PACWEST medal.

The winner of the men’s gold will join the VIU Mariners, the hosts of the CCAA nationals, while the women’s gold medalists will travel to Halifax Nova Scotia for the national championship.