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Undefeated Gorge FC uses big second half to down Vantreights in VISL Div. 1 play

Saanich side shows speed, patience in game at Victoria’s Topaz Park
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Vantreights’ Sean Cringle (14) and Kevin Carrigan (9) leap for a high ball against a Gorge FC defender during Vancouver Island Soccer League Division 1 action at Topaz Park on Sunday. Gorge won 5-2 and remains undefeated atop the Div. 1 slate at 5-0-1, while Vantreights fell to 0-6. Don Descoteau/Victoria News

Vantreights did their best to keep a lid on the powerful Gorge FC attack for a little over a half of Sunday’s Vancouver Island Soccer League Division 1 match at Topaz Park.

Then Jon Shah took over and had the green defenders on their heels for much of the second half. Last season’s Div. 1 most valuable player added a pair of pretty goals to his first-half marker and carried Gorge to a 5-2 win that vaulted the 5-0-1 side into top spot in the division.

A Shah goal was the only tally in the first half, which saw Vantreights mount a few promising charges of their own.

Kevin Carrigan headed in the equalizer for Vantreights early in the second half and gave his team a boost. But Gorge turned up the heat and put tremendous pressure on the defence in the ensuing minutes, with Shah and Robert Litke providing the scoring punch. Litke bagged a pair of goals on the day.

Sean Cringle got one back for still-winless Vantreights (0-6-0), but the match was already in hand for the powerful Saanich squad.

In other Division 1 play from the weekend, Cowichan FC (5-1-0) kept pace with Gorge with a 3-0 default win over VI Wave; Vic West (3-1-2) maintained a hold a piece of third spot with a 3-3 draw against Bays United Liquor Plus; while Nanaimo FC (3-1-2) grabbed a share of third with a 4-3 win over Lakehill, paced by a four-goal effort from Daragh Fitzgerald; and Westcastle United saw a 4-1 second half lead slip away in a 4-4 draw with Comox Valley United – thew two teams are tied for fifth at 2-2-2.

editor@vicnews.com

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Gorge FC forward Jon Shah (in black) bursts between Vantreights opponents Tyler Smith, left, and Kevin Carrigan during Vancouver Island Soccer League Division 1 action at Topaz Park on Sunday. Shah was virtually unstoppable on the day, scoring three times and leading his team to a 5-2 victory. Gorge remains undefeated atop the Div. 1 slate at 5-0-1, while Vantreights fell to 0-6. Don Descoteau/Victoria News