The two-time Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»city champion Magee Lions won't be playing at their second consecutive AAA high school boys soccer provincials. They lost their second game of the double-knockout regional tournament Tuesday, losing 3-2 to Kitsilano for the first time this season.
Kwang Rim Choi opened scoring for the Lions in the 19th minute. The Blue Demons were quick to answer with a goal from Jordan Burtchett. "That gave them momentum," said Magee coach Fred Gault.
Acil Amrani found the net early in the second half to give Kitsilano a 2-1 lead but then the Blue Demons allowed an own-goal to tie the game at two apiece. With five minutes remaining, Kitsilano earned a corner kick and Mackenzie Hyde found the back of the net for a 3-2 advantage.
Gault said the Lions struggled against the Demons size advantage, particularly in their own defensive zone. "They are a very tall team so they played high and direct balls and we didn't win many balls in the air," he said. "In the end we made too many mistakes and they took advantage."
In two previous meetings this season between the West Side public schools, Magee won on both occasions. The Lions outscored Kitsilano 4-1, shutting them out in their second game in October.
"Overall the game was competitive and very well played," said Kitsilano head coach Randy Coutts. "Two very skilled teams."
Nearby at St. George's, the Saints shutout the Van Tech Talismen 1-0 in a match defined by impressing chances and even more impressive goaltending.
The Talismen's netminder Brandon Rogers kept his team competitive, stopping shots point-blank and shouting instructions as the most vocal player on the field.
St. George's hosted Kitsilano Thursday. Results weren't known by the Courier's print deadline. Visit vancourier. com/sports for results.
The winner finished third in the zone tournament and earned the last berth to the AAA boys soccer provincials Nov. 24 to 26 in Burnaby. [email protected]
Twitter: @MHStewart
