Week 1 Recap - Highlanders FC vs. Whitecaps FC

Women’s Game: VHFC 0 – 2 Whitecaps FC

Despite a very strong defensive efforts, our Highlanders women fell short this weekend, losing 2-0 to the Whitecaps U19 group.

The caps looked dangerous early on, creating some good chances and finding themselves on the front foot. They would break the deadlock in the 30^th minute off a set piece that bounced around the box before ultimately ending up in the back of the net from a Highlanders own goal.

This would spark a small fire in the Highlanders, who would nearly draw level off a Kjera Hayman strike, but the shot rolled just wide of the net. The caps would try to double their lead before the half, however Highlanders goalkeeper, Milena Ramirez, made some fantastic saves to keep the game level.

Milena continued to stand on her head all game long, keeping the doors shut until the final minutes of the game when Whitecaps substitute forward, Ava Jackson, converted her own rebound inside the box.

The Highlanders will play TSS Rovers in week 2 of League 1 play.

Men’s Game: VHFC 1 – 1 Whitecaps FC

Our Highlanders men battled to a 1-1 draw against a strong Whitecaps group this past Sunday in the season opener.

This game started at a hundred miles an hour and wouldn’t slow down for 90 minutes! The Caps came out swinging early with a very high press, matching the Highlanders shape and forcing some more direct play early on. The Highlanders would eventually settle into the game, and started creating some good chances, many of which came through star forward, Michael Henman. Despite some good chances, both teams would go into the locker rooms scoreless at the half.

The caps would strike first, scoring from a dangerous ball in the Highlanders box while the Highlanders were down to ten men due to a player injury.

The game would eventually become quite open, with the Highlanders searching for the equalizing goal and the caps looking to close out the game with a second. Ultimately, it would be the Highlanders who would score next off the foot of Nick Park, who showed some fantastic acrobatics to score a scissor kick late in the match.

There would be a handful of chances after the equalizing goal, but none would lead to the go ahead goal.

The Highlanders will play TSS Rovers in week 2 of League 1 play.