The VIU Mariners are PACWEST champions for the second straight season after thumping the Capilano Blues 6-1 on Saturday.
The Mariners blew open the door in the first half scoring three times. Kate Reynolds tallied the first of three in the 14th minute when she found the back of the net. Just six minutes later the PACWEST leading scorer Chloe Gummer scored what would turn out to be the game’s winning goal. Gummer then set up Shea Battie for their third goal in the 31st minute.
In the second half the Blues finally got on the board in the 49th minute when Mya Fraser lit the lamp, however that as close as the Blues would come.
In the 58th minute Battie scored her second of the game restoring the Mariners three goal advantage. The assist coming from Karen Battie. Then just a minute later PACWEST All-Star Saki Meshida tallied her first of the game in the 59th minute.
The Mariners rounded out their scoring in the 70th minute when Olivia Mazurenko tallied her first of the playoffs.
Keeper Melanie Osborne stopped six of the seven shots she faced and recorded the gold medal win.
The Mariners advance to the CCAA national championship in Edmonton looking to improve on their fifth place finish last year.
Following the game the PACWEST tournament awards were handed out:
Tournament MVP – Saki Meshida – Mariners
Top Goalkeeper – Melanie Osborne – Mariners
Top Defender – Cara Dunlop – Mariners
Top Midfielder – Shea Battie – Mariners
Top Forward – Claire Ye – Blues
