The Quest Kermodes men's soccer team upset the best team in the league last weekend, surprising everyone, even the commissioner they sent the scores to at the conclusion of the game.
"We called in our score to report it and he asked us if we were sure it was right," said head coach Adam Day after his team defeated the top ranked Vancouver Island University Mariners 2-1 on Saturday (Oct. 16).
Fortunately for Day and the Kermodes, it was entirely accurate as Quest stunned VIU, handing them their first loss of the British Columbia Colleges' Athletic Association season.
The win strengthens the playoff hopes for the team and Day said it was one of the top moments in the history of the young program.
"It was absolutely huge," he said. "One of the biggest wins ever in the men's program. We've been saying all year that we're capable of beating anyone and we proved it against VIU."
The Kermodes played a sound defensive first half against the Mariners, limiting their chances and frustrating the first place squad. Mawuena Mallett drew a penalty early into the second half and then converted on the ensuing penalty kick to draw first blood.
Later in the second half, Alex Morgan added another off of a feed by Ryan Gobert to put Quest up 2-0. VIU tried to counterattack but Quest's defence remained strong, only allowing a goal in the latter stages of the game to pull off the 2-1 upset.
The win catapults the Kermodes into third place in the Group B standings and the team now controls its own playoff destiny. Quest will be battling the Langara Falcons for the final playoff spot and will have a chance to all but eliminate Langara on Saturday (Oct. 23).
The two teams both have 10 points but Quest holds a one goal differential advantage heading into the next game. If Quest can beat Langara, the team will qualify for the postseason, barring a complete collapse against Capilano in their final game combined with a no-show by VIU in Langara's last game.
"We're pleased and relieved that we have a chance to make the playoffs," said Day. "This will be the biggest game in the history of the program and it's so important for us to get a win."
It's a different story for the women's team. They were defeated 3-1 by VIU on Saturday (Oct. 16) and barring a miraculous turnaround, the team will not be going to the playoffs.
The women's team must win their final two games and hope that Capilano loses all of their remaining games in order to qualify.
Both teams will travel to Vancouver to take on Langara on Saturday (Oct. 23) and then finish their respective seasons on the road against Capilano on Sunday (Oct. 24).
For more information on the teams, visit www.questkermodes.ca.
