April 12 Game Report: Home Opener vs. Evolution FC

What a whirlwind! 3-1 for Evolution in the women's game, and 1-0 for Evolution's men. Despite our teams’ losses, the women got on the scoreboard in the second half and the men’s game was a shut-out for 89 minutes. Thank you to the 300+ fans who came to watch and cheer on the squads! We can’t wait to see you back at the Q’unq’inuqwstuxw Stadium on April 26 at 1 PM.

WOMEN'S GAME

The women’s team was missing a large collection of their athletes - they had 14 permit players this weekend! The 2025 League1 season started earlier than it ever has due to the league’s expansion, making it tricky to lock down a final roster. Starter Jade Dillabough and Avery Henderson had to leave at halftime to head to Victoria to play for Nanaimo United’s Premier women’s team in a BC Soccer Provincial A-Cup Championship playoff game, and players such as Ava Alexander, Mary Nicholls and Ruby Nicholas are still away for school. Starting keeper Kaiden Thorpe was away at the Futsal National Championships in Regina this past weekend. 

Alex Paul in action.

57 seconds into the women’s game, Evolution scored. Alex Paul, who plays for the University of Victoria during the school year and played for Altitude FC last League1 season, walked us through what happened:

I stepped to the ball but then she spun and started dribbling down the line. Avery [Henderson] stepped up, but the Evolution player was just a little too far and then crossed. We only really have three at the back so the middle was kind of wide open when she crossed again. It was good learning and as we went on, that wasn’t an issue again.

Alex noted that “this was our first game together and I felt as we went on, we definitely connected more and everyone was super supportive, which was really nice.” Coming from Altitude FC, she has a leg up on our group of rookie League1 players. She knows that as the season goes on, the teams and the standings can switch up drastically. Her UVic teammate, Raina Hagel, commented on this:

I’m looking forward to playing all the other teams and seeing what they’re like. Evolution was a new team and I was interested to see how they played. I’m interested in meeting them again and seeing how we pair up down the road. By then, I feel like we’ll be a different team. I always feel like I'm on a very different team at the end of the season. Everyone’s so different and we’re still missing people. I’m sure they’re still missing people so I’m excited to see what will happen.

When asked for any final words, Alex cheered “Get up Nanaimo!” Our players love your support and want to see you out there!

RUN IT BACK - PLAYS OF THE GAME

17-year-old Victoria Cronkhite was a frontline menace. In the 33rd minute, Victoria had a great chance at the top of the box that was narrowly deflected by the foot of a Coquitlam defender and the off-kilter bounce was caught by Evolution’s goalie. A few minutes later, Victoria and the fierce Jade Dillabough led a dangerous attack initiated by a solidly won ball in the central midfield by Courtney Ingram. In the 54th minute, Victoria pounced and made a wicked steal at the top of the box. Her shot narrowly missed the top of the net. 

Top: Niobe Darku after scoring her goal, bottom: Victoria Cronkhite leaping for a header.

No Nanaimo United goals were scored until Nanaimo United Division 1 permit Niobe Darku was subbed on. Victoria received a throw in and passed the ball back to Niobe who was making her way up the centre field. Niobe one-timed it from way back and lobbed it over Evolution’s keeper, who was not expecting a shot from the top of the middle third. What a shot! Check it out below.

MEN'S GAME

The men’s game started like the women’s with a quick goal from Evolution in the first two minutes. Despite the hectic nature of the game, that was the only time either of the nets got to see the ball.

Ben Creswick, a returning player, was honest and said “we didn't have a lot of chemistry and losing Tristan [Cornwell], a key centre back, early in the first half was tough.” Tristan is also a returning athlete and plays for the University of Victoria. As he approached for the interview, it was hard not to notice his heavily bandaged quad. UVic’s men’s team trains throughout the spring while school is finishing up, and he recalled pulling his hamstring three weeks ago at a practice. “I just didn’t give it enough time to heal, I’m going to have to give this a few weeks” he notes. We wish you a speedy recovery, Tristan!

Top: Suka Behery, bottom: Charlie Purcell. Read about their attacking prowess below!

RUN IT BACK - PLAYS OF THE GAME

“We fought and we tried to get there, especially at the end - we were so close,” said Ben, and they sure did! In the final 10 minutes, 2024 League1 BC Midfielder of the Year Suka Behery and returning forward Charlie Purcell terrorized Evolution’s backline with their speed and grittiness. Suka blazed down the left side and ended up not quite at the right angle to get a shot in, but was able to get the ball into the middle to Charlie. An Evolution defender was only just able to stretch far enough to deflect Charlie's shot. Moments later, Charlie made a solid tackle in the midfield and passed the ball to Suka and they made ping-ponged the ball back and forth around the Evolution defenders. Charlie’s final pass to Suka lined him up perfectly - Suka was in a spectacular position at the top of the box. His shot narrowly missed the top corner.

Big shout-outs to keeper Matthew McConnach and defender Matthew Coburn:

• Thanks to a brilliant dive that allowed our defence to get into a position to deflect a rebound shot, Matthew kept the score 1-0 in the 55th minute. Soon after, McConnach showcased his ability to fly and made back-to-back corner kick saves. A brilliant game for Matthew!

• Returning defender Matthew Coburn coaches for Nanaimo United. Many of the youth in the stands recognized him from practices, and it was like he had his own cheering section. Every time he got on the ball, his players went nuts - the energy was phenomenal. A true community athlete!

Left: Matthew Coburn, right: Matthew McConnach

STAY TUNED

What will happen next week at League1 Nanaimo United's first away game against Altitude FC? Be sure to catch the livestream on League1’s YouTube channel.

Grab your season pass before the next home game! Nanaimo United FC plays Burnaby FC at the Q’unq’inuqwstuxw Stadium on April 26.

See you then!