The Canadian Collegiate Athletics Association (CCAA) national men's soccer championships are underway in Fredericton, N.B., this weekend.
However, 2023-champion Douglas College of New Westminster is not there to possibly win consecutive banners at Canada's second-highest level of university soccer.
The Royals fell 3-2 (4-3) on penalty kicks to Langara College in the 2024 PACWEST conference final on Oct. 27. The Falcons earned the one and only B.C. entry at nationals.
DC rallied to reach the provincial championship after finishing with a 3-3-6 record during the regular season.
The green and white, as the third seed, shut out the second-ranked Capilano Blues (6-2-4) in the semifinal, 3-0.
The Royals were able to keep up with Langara in the final match, which had been steadily ranked in the CCAA top 10 ranking all season long.
This includes a two-goal comeback in the last 10 minutes of regulation — Corwin Schieck in the 82nd minute, Luke Shackleton in the 95th — and being down to 10 men for the second half.
A save by goalkeeper Matthew Miller boded well for Douglas in the shootout, but the Royals ultimately lost 4-3 on penalties, reads a team statement about the loss.
Matteo Falcone was named the PACWEST tournament's best midfielder.
Falcone, Justin Pena and Capetown, South Africa, product Luciano Keramen were named 2024 conference all-stars.
Last year, Douglas won its second-ever national championship 1-1 (4-2) on penalty kicks over Conestoga College (Ontario).
That was the eighth CCAA medal since 2002, including two gold, three silver and three bronze, after claiming a 10th PACWEST men's soccer banner.
Women lose PACWEST semifinal
Meanwhile, DC's women's soccer team came up short at provincials, exiting in the semifinal on penalties by a score of 2-1 to Capilano.
Isabelle Dobbin scored early in the contest and the Royals maintained a 1-0 lead until nearly the very end when Capilano tied the match in the 90th minute. The Blues prevailed 3-2 in the shootout.
Midfielder Ava Tudhope was named PACWEST 2024 co-rookie of the year.
Dobbin, Jessica Lau and Hong Kong import Pak Tung Tsang were named conference all-stars.
