The Comox Valley United men’s soccer team won its 10th game of the season Dec. 1 with a 6-2 victory over Hellas FC in Victoria.
CVU controlled most of the game, though Hellas did make it interesting at times, player/coach Graeme McNeill said.
“They scored first in the fifth minute on a 50-yard shot that fooled our keeper. About three minutes later, we levelled the score with a beauty effort from Bryce Marinus.”
Joe Butcher and Josh Fauchon both scored to make it 3-1 for Comox before half.
In the second half, Hellas was awarded a penalty kick off a hand ball, which they converted to make it 3-2. After that, Comox took over with goals from Robert Brown, Bryce Marinus for his second, and captain Kyle Bate for the 6-2 victory.
The previous weekend at home, CVU drew 1-1 with the Prospect Lake Lakers. In their previous meeting, Comox beat the Victoria team 2-1 on their turf.
“Prospect Lake has been our toughest games yet, despite them sitting at the bottom of the table,” McNeill said.
Comox controlled most of the first half but was not able to capitalize on its opportunities. Keeper Adam Panziera was not overly busy in the first half; however, he did save a penalty kick to keep the score 0-0 into half time.
Comox was first on the scoresheet when striker Robert Brown, subbed on at half, found the back of the net at the 50-minute mark after. The play was back and forth for the next 20 minutes until the Lakers turned up the pressure. They were awarded another penalty kick at 90 minutes on a questionable call by the ref. Panziera saved the shot but McNeill said the ref made another questionable call and awarded a re-take, claiming a Comox player was in the box. Prospect scored on the second shot and tied the score 1-1 in the dying minute.
“Comox was the better team but left the game in the hands of the ref by not scoring on chances when they should have,” McNeill said.
With a record of 10 wins and one draw, CVU continues to hold down top spot in Division 2 of the Vancouver Island Soccer League with 31 points.
Comox plays the fourth-place Gorge United at home Saturday. Kickoff is 6 p.m. at the Vanier turf. United beat Gorge 3-0 in their first meeting.
The following Sunday, CVU plays the second-place Victoria Highlanders in a road match. The two sides have yet to play this season.