Royals MSOC > Young squad face reality of adapting to PACWEST Davie Wong Sports Editor he PACWEST is a tough league. While it isn’t the top of its kind, the league is full of players fighting to keep their careers alive. The young Douglas College men’s soccer team figured that out first hand last week as they took on the Quest Kermodes and VIU Mariners to open their season. Their home opener versus the Quest Kermodes was filled with drama on the sopping wet field. Defensive breakdowns from the Royals to start the game would give a 2-0 lead to the Kermodes off of set pieces. Stefan Kamner would grab his first goal as a Royal by threading a beautiful lob past the overextended Quest keeper. However, 20 minutes later, the Kermodes would grab another goal off a battle in the Royals box going the wrong way. Going into halftime and down 3-1, I’m sure head coach Robby Toor had some choice words for the team. Whatever he said seemed to light a fire in them. A couple of key changes were made as well. Out was starting keeper Sraw Iqbal, and in came Joel Webb. Webb would make a huge difference, making four saves in the second half of the game, including what looked like a sure goal. Only 10 minutes after half time, Royals David Suh scored a well-placed header off a set piece to bring the Royals within one. Two minutes later, captain Noah Binsaleh slid home a dirty backheel that had many spectators looking for eyewash to equalize. The Royals fought hard to hold on to the lead, but their defence was made difficult after midfielder Quinn Dawson was sent for an early shower for arguing a call. The hard tackle and chatter earned Dawson two yellows and an automatic red. Fortunately, his team hung on, and the Royals would finish the dramatic home opener tied, 3-3. As it is, there is no rest for the wicked. The team headed over to Nanaimo to face the VIU Mariners the next day. After a rather drab first half, the game was broken open of a David Suh goal, which put the Royals into the lead. However, just as quickly as the lead materialized, it vanished. VIU’s Chris Merriman would score the equalizer moments later, and VIU’s Jamie Taylor would score them the lead 10 minutes later. Try as they might, the Royals couldn't find the equalizer and fell 2-1 to the Mariners. Despite the loss, Joel Webb was easily the best Royals player on the pitch, making 9 saves of the 11 shots that got by the defence. With the loss, the Royals dropped to 0-1-1 0n the season. With one point, they find themselves in the middle of the pack. = _a a ws, Fete es a ane se — Royals WSOC week two preview > The Royals are coming! Davie Wong Sports Editor fter a heavy-handed week one performance, the Royals will be taking on the Capilano Blues in week two of PACWEST action. It will be the only game the Royals play that week. I won't lie or sugarcoat it: This should bea slaughter in favour the Royals. There are so many aspects of this matchup on the side of the Royals. First off, it’s the Royals’ only match this week. They Photo by Davie Wong won't have to prepare for another team, just for the Blues. That sort of dedicated prep time is massive. Secondly, the Royals are coming in riding a rather large streak of form after a massive win over their rivals the VIU Mariners. Thirdly, the Royals team, statistically, are much better than the Capilano Blues. Speaking of which, let’s take a look at the Royals’ opponent. The Capilano Blues come into the game after a wortying 1-1 draw against the Langara Falcons. While the Blues escaped with a point, they definitely didn’t deserve to. They were simply outmatched and outclassed by the Falcons. In the first half, the Falcons were dominant over the Blues, outshooting them 8-2, forcing the Blues’ keeper to make some pretty dramatic saves. The second half was better from the Blues, who looked competitive compared to the first half of play, but still only managed three shots on net. In terms of fouls, the Blues were definitely much more composed. But sometimes you need wat Photo by Davie Wong to get into the dirty areas to do a little cleaning. Perhaps there is a hesitation there to get stuck in, which the Royals can and will take advantage of. If we want to talk scores, I think it’l] be 3-0 before halftime is up in favour of the Royals. There is no reason the team should even be within losing distance of the Blues. They simply are the better team, with more class, and more skill. They should be getting the win here. A win would leave the Royals topside, with no team able to catch them.