Brent Mutis
CapU Blues sports info
A challenging opening minute of the game tripped up the host Capilano Blues (3-3-1 PACWEST) and proved too much to overcome as they sustained a 2-0 loss Saturday afternoon to the Douglas College Royals (3-3-1).
Just 60 seconds after kickoff, Douglas forward Ayman Sahmuddeen ran onto a long throw-in that had bounced past the last Blues defender and his ensuing effort towards the goal ricocheted high in the air off Capilano keeper Graydon Sherle before being corralled and slotted home by Jack Spencer.
The early lead allowed Douglas to use their physical back line to protect their goal. Capilano consistently pushed into Royals territory and earned multiple free kicks and corners but they couldn’t get the quality last touch they needed to get on the scoreboard. Despite the number of looks off set pieces, CapU was credited with just four shots on goal.
Douglas maintained their one-goal advantage throughout the afternoon and added the insurance in the 84th minute courtesy of an Andrew Kerr tally.
Kael Bello and Zach Gabrys were dangerous in the Douglas end of the park at times Saturday but nobody could connect the pieces in the final third of the field.
Eric Town looked poised in his defender role as he works his way back to form while Aiden Adams also again showed confidence on the ball making runs up the sideline.
The Blues got a PACWEST debut from rookie midfielder Rinto Sugiyama while Josh Esmaeili Ranjbar and Ben Ellsworth provided solid minutes off the bench.
With the setback, Capilano is now tied with Douglas for second in the PACWEST standings, six point back of Langara and six points up on Vancouver Island University.
Capilano finishes their weekend home doubleheader with a Sunday showdown against Langara with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m.
