The Douglas College Royals women’s soccer team are disappointed they didn’t win their way into the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association’s national championship that begins tomorrow at Coquitlam’s Percy Perry Stadium.
But the team’s coach says he hopes his charges are hungrier than ever to make their automatic berth as the tournament’s hosts count.
Chris Laxton said his team’s failure to advance into the PacWest final after the Royals were ousted in a 1-0 loss to the Capilano Blues should be a motivator as the team begins its quest for the national championship at 5:30 p.m. Wedneday with a match against the Quebec and four-time defending CCAA champs, Elan de Garneau.
“We know what we have to do,” Laxton said. “We need to just have a hungrier attitude and make better use of our chances.”
Douglas lost 1-0 to Garneau in last year’s national tournament.
Laxton noted the Royals’ four losses this season in league play were also by 1-0 scores. That reflects how crucial a timely finish is, he said.
“It’s been incredibly hard to claw back after trailing this year,” Laxton said. “It’s not going to get easier at the nationals.”
Laxton said the team’s offensive struggles in those 1-0 losses has put a bright spotlight on the Royals’ defence, which is anchored by veteran keeper Alexa Gazzola.
The Little Flower Academy alumna was a major component of last year’s charge to the nationals, where the Royals finished fifth, and she’s been a very solid player this year. Her record includes four shutouts and a 0.91 goals-against average.
Laxton said Gazzola has been one of the team’s difference-makers.
“This year she’s been very steady for us,” he said of the keeper. “When we score, we’re tough to beat.”
If Douglas, which was ranked eighth in the country headed into the PacWest tournament, prevails in its opening round match, the team would earn a spot in the Nov. 8 semifinal.
Other teams at the championship include: MSVU Mystics, Ch. St. Lambert Cavaliers, NAIT Ooks, Vancouver Island University Mariners, SAIT Trojans, and the Fanshawe Falcons.
The final is scheduled for Nov. 10 at Percy Perry Stadium.
• Three Royals have been named to the PacWest All-Conference all-star team: defender Hannah dela Cruz and midfielders Samantha Kell and Mikaela Montagano.
