Victoria Highlanders FC (3-1-1) traveled to Swangard Stadium to take on Vancouver TSS FC Rovers (2-3-1) in the first leg of the Juan De Fuca Plate on Friday, June 7th. The Highlander walked away with a 1-0 win with the only goal of the game coming off a Victory Shumbusho penalty shot.
Both teams traded chances in the first half with the Highlanders looking to take advantage of their games in hand in the Northwest Division. The visiting team took advantage of the long ball as Jake Ruby, Daniel Davidson, and Shumbusho were attacking the wings all night and putting pressure on the Rovers’ backline. While each team had their fair share of scoring opportunities in the opening 45 minutes, the game remained scoreless at the half.
The second half started a bit more cautious than the first, with the Rovers seemingly figuring out their best plan of attack against the Highlanders’ defense. It wouldn’t be until the 66th minute that the Victoria side would eventually convert on one of their offensive opportunities. Awarded a penalty kick off a Vancouver hand ball, Shumbusho walked to the line and made no mistake as he fired a shot past the Rovers’ goalkeeper for his second goal of the season to give the Highlanders a 1-0 lead.
After 90 minutes of play, the Highlanders walked away with a 1-0 win in the first leg of the Juan De Fuca Plate. Trevor Schneider picked up the well-earned clean sheet in his first start of the season. The second leg of the JDF Plate will be played in Victoria on Friday, July 5th against TSS FC Rovers.
Victoria Highlanders are back in action on Sunday, June 16th as they return to Centennial Stadium to welcome the Portland Timbers U23 for a Father’s Day matchup.
