Brent Mutis
CapU Blues sports info

Still undefeated on home turf, the Capilano Blues latest result did nonetheless have the feel of a setback in a 2-2 tie with the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners.

CapU built a two-goal, second-half lead only to see it disappear with VIU scoring the equalizer at the death in penalty time.

The teams matched each other stride for stride for almost the entire first half, but the Blues struck in the 38^th minute with Tommy Millar bending home a brilliant strike on a free kick to put the home side up one at the break.

Blues head coach Steve Millar stayed with his starting 11 in the second half and was rewarded as Sebastian Cirotto scored his third of the season from the edge of the box in the 54^th minute after a nice setup from Millar.

Capilano appeared to be in control when, in the 70^th minute, after a near collision between Tommy Millar and VIU keeper Bryan Murray, the goalie shoved the Blues captain and was given a red card. Murray was replaced by Marko Ilich, and VIU had to play a man short for the remainder of the game, but found the resolve to erase the deficit.

Brian Bland got the visitors on the board in the 80^th minute after a free kick rebounded to him. Keeping their pace up, VIU earned a corner in injury time and, after the initial delivery, a loose ball was waiting on the far post where Maxwell Dadzie made a sliding effort to boot home the tying goal.

Effective afternoons were also turned in by Andrew Cerqueira and Tate Davidson, who both consistently won balls and kept the Blues in possession. As a team, the ability to finish out the day with a two-goal lead at home will be the key lesson to take from this one.

With a quick turnaround, the Blues go to Douglas College to take on the Royals Sunday afternoon in a 2:30 p.m. kickoff.