When Powell River Villa earned promotion to Vancouver Island Soccer League Division 2 at the end of last season, coaches and players set two goals prior to starting the 2018/2019 campaign. Avoiding relegation back to Division 3 was at the top of the list, followed by, in a best-case scenario, challenging for a top-four finish in Division 2, according to coach Chris McDonough.
With both of those goals met before stepping on the field to face Gorge United at Timberlane Park on Saturday, March 16, Villa had an opportunity to further exceed expectations. The ensuing 2-1 win sealed promotion to Division 1 next year, and kept the team in position for the Division 2 championship.
“It was not a goal at the beginning of the year; survival in the division was really our number-one goal,” said McDonough about the promotion. “It is a big achievement by the guys.”
Over the course of the season, more than 25 players cycled in and out of the lineup as the team dealt with injuries, suspensions and player availability.
“We had guys stepping up after injuries, players moving away and new players coming into town,” said McDonough. “Everything just seemed to click for us this year, even when things didn't go well we rebounded, and we came back with some of our best efforts at the end of the season when we lost some players.”
With one game remaining, Villa trails Victoria Highlanders by one point for the division lead. Highlanders have completed their schedule. The math is simple: win a road game against Saanich Fusion on Saturday, March 23, and Villa will lift the Division 2 trophy.
“With a tie we don't win on goal differential; we have to win,” explained McDonough. “It sets up for a pretty exciting finish to the season and it would be great to go down there and get a championship.”
McDonough said he expects to field a strong, motivated lineup against Saanich.
“We all want to come back with a trophy and make our mark on this division,” he said. “We are really excited about it.”
McDonough added that the league title became a reality halfway through the season after a strong start and consistency kept Villa at or near the top of the standings.
“We realized we had a shot at this and could compete with any of the teams,” he said.
In Saturday’s promotion-clinching win over Gorge, Villa fell behind 1-0 early in the match.
“We started out kind of nervy and about five minutes into the game our players were caught ball watching and one of their players was left alone at the back post and headed in an easy goal,” said McDonough. “Right away we were under the gun.”
Villa took control in the second part of the first half, eventually tying the score when Dean Thorsell converted a cross from Jake Kenmuir. The winning goal came minutes later.
“We had a free kick around the 38-minute mark and Chris Fisher hit it low and hard,” said McDonough. “It sailed through some defenders and beat the goalie.”
McDonough said although players, coaches and management are excited to compete in the highest division next season, all the focus is on winning a championship in their final game this year.
“Once the season is over we'll assess where we are at,” he added. “There are always lots of changes and we have lots to look at once it's over, but right now it is all about this week.”
It has been 12 years since Villa last played in Division 1.
