Jaclyn Sawicki was a dynamo on Saturday at Centennial Stadium.
Sawicki, who is a member of the Canada Under-20 team, was exceptional at both ends of the field as the University of Victoria Vikes beat the Manitoba Bisons 5-1 in Canada West women's soccer action.
It was the sixth consecutive victory of the season for the Vikes after opening the year with a 1-1 tie against the Alberta Pandas.
Sawicki opened the scoring in the 37th minute when she connected on a penalty kick. The Vikes were awarded the penalty kick when Gillian Sidon tackled Lindsay Hoetzel in the box.
Less than three minutes later, Sawicki was instrumental in creating UVic's second as she raced around a Manitoba defender and fed a crossing pass that went into the books as an own goal, deflecting into the net off a Bison.
"After we missed that first penalty kick and gave them some momentum, I just told myself that we needed this one,'' said Sawicki after Emma Greig, Canada West's leading goal scorer with 11, was denied during the ninth minute when her shot went off the post. "That was a critical time of the game for us and when she [Manitoba goalkeeper Chloe Werle] moved a bit to the right, I just went the other way with the ball.''
Rookie Sarah Douglas scored two second-half goals for the Vikes while Nathalie Scharf had the other.
"We were disappointed that we allowed Manitoba to score a goal off a set piece,'' said Sawicki. "We were just a little late in getting organized and gave up a goal.''
Sarah Haiko scored the Manitoba goal late in the second half after a corner kick by Alison Kastner.
Haiko went high into the air and headed the ball past UVic goalkeeper Tanya Jones. The Vikes have only allowed two goals this year while scoring 42.
"After we missed that early penalty kick, that sort of set the tone for the game,'' said UVic coach Tracy David. "We gave them some hope but our team responded by keeping the pressure on them.
"I saw a few things that we have to work on and we'll have to be better next weekend with road games against Saskatchewan and Regina.''
In the men's game, the Vikes knocked off a ranked Canadian Interuniversity Sport team for the second consecutive night. On Friday, the Vikes blanked the Alberta Golden Bears (No.
1) 1-0 and then followed that up with a 2-0 decision over the Saskatchewan Huskies (No. 9).
After a scoreless first half, second-half substitutes Cam Hundal and Craig Gorman sparked UVic.
In the 65th minute, Hundal made an electrifying run and set up Gavin Barrett for the opening goal.
Gorman then gave the Vikes a 2-0 cushion scoring after a scramble in the box.
Elliot Mitrou was outstanding for the Vikes making several outstanding saves. Mitrou's best save came late in the first half when he robbed Brett Levis. Mitrou dove for the ball and just got his finger tips on the ball to direct it over the net.
The Vikes now have a record of four wins, three losses and a tie. It was Saskatchewan's first loss of the season and the Huskies are now 5-1-1.
- In Canada West women's
field hockey, the UBC Thunderbirds defeated the UVic Vikes 4-1. Hannah Haughn scored twice for UBC while singles were added by Cassandra Taylor and Kate Gillis. Kyla Kirby replied for the Vikes.
The second game of the weekend doubleheader is at 11 a.m. today at the UVic Turf Field.
UBC has a perfect 3-0 league record while UVic is 2-1.
