MEN'S SOCCER
A rich tradition of excellence has built the Mariner soccer program at VIU.

In past years the M's have won six provincial titles and one national title for the men, and four provincial titles and one national title for the women making the Mariner Field in Nanaimo an exciting place to be from September through November.Nanaimo is a soccer town, so the teams receive tremendous media and community support.
" VIU Athletics is committed to building champions through academic achievement, athletic excellence and national recognition of our student athletes, teams and programs. We provide our student athlete with all the necessary tools for them to be champions in their sport and life."

23/02/10 - 2010 TRAINING CAMP and UPADTES
The Vancouver Island Men’s Soccer Team, coming off a strong 2009 season would like to inform all recruits and players of our spring season training camp. This is an invitational camp for the 2010 VIU season. We are going to have 3 training sessions and 1 inter squad game over the 3 day camp. This camp is for the coaches to have a look at the players we already have, and the potential players for next season. We are very excited about last season and some of the new players we have coming in for next season as we are beginning to prepare now.
We already have spring games scheduled against Seattle Pacific University, Victoria Highlanders of the (PDL) and VISL teams that are preparing for the BC’s. We will be looking to invite players from this camp for the exhibition schedule. We also have pre-season games confirmed against SFU who is now in (NCAA Div.2), UVIC of the (CIS), and Gorge FC league champions of the (VISL). We believe that playing the best competition will only help the development of our program and continue to raise the profile of our players. We want nothing more than to help our players develop and reach their goals both academically and on the pitch. We look forward to seeing everyone and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or interest regarding the camp.

Schedule: March 9th, 10th, 11th,

Tuesday March 9th: 4:30-6:00 Mariner Field/ 8:15-10:00 Merle Logan Inter Squad game

Wednesday March 10th: 4:30- 6:30 Mariner Field

Thursday March 11th: 3:30-5:00 (Social at Field)

We are also looking to set up meetings for players with councillors regarding programs of interest please contact us specifically and we will set up times.
We are also going to set up a team lunch on the Wednesday and a tour of the campus before training. These details will be sent once we have the confirmation of players attending.

Once again if you have any questions do not hesitate to email or call:
Head Coach: Bill Merriman bill.merriman@viu.ca Cell: 1-250-618-2044 Home # 1-250-722-3288
Assistant Coach: James Merriman jmerrim8@gmail.com Cell: 1-250-616-4277

26/10/09 - PROVINCIAL SILVER FOR MEN'S SOCCER
A 4-3 extra time semi-final win over Langara Flacons set up a final with the Douglas Royals. In extreme weather conditions the Mariners and Royals were scoreless at the half , 9 minutes in Douglas scores one and then another to end VIU's season and hopes of Nationals. A thrilling season ... the best season since 98 when the team won the provincials!! Read more in the NDN
The VIU women's soccer team battled the eventual winners Kwantlen eagles in the Quarterfinals. Trailing 2-0 the Mariners fought back with 2 goals coming from Emily Nicholson forcing extra time and a shootout. VIU was up in the shoot out when the Eagles found some magic that carried them onto defeat the M's and then TRU and Langara in the finals .... all in shootouts to win the gold medal.
Read more..

20/10/09 - JARED STEPHENS BCCAA ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Jared has been recognized by the league for his outstanding performance this past weekend.
Jared Stephens showed once again how valuable a player he is to the VIU Mariners. Jared scored one goal and set up one to help the team get a 2 – 0 win against Langara. Jared was robbed by the Langara keeper twice and was brought down in the box to give the Mariners a PK, but they were unable to put it away. Jared worked extremely hard on Sunday to lead his team to a 1 – 0 win over Capilano College. Jared continuously ran at defenders and created chances for the team. The Mariners finally scored when a player jumped on a rebound after a shot from Jared. Jared Stephens finished the season with 5 goals and 6 assists. In the Mariners run for first place Jared scored 2 goals in a 2 – 0 win over Quest, scored 1 and assisted 1 in a 2 – 0 win over Langara, and finish with a big helper in the final league game of the year a 1 – 0 win over Capilano Blues.

21/10/09 - MARINERS NAMED LEAGUE ALL-STARS
VIU hauls in several league All-Star awards including Coach of the year going to 1st year coach Bill Merriman (7W, 1L, 3T) and Rookie of the year being VIU's goalkeeper Robbie Cochrane
(7.7 shutouts and a league leading GA of 0.47)..
Katie Flynn, Aileen Holder, Heather Iverson, Chris Arnett, Robbie Cochrane and Ben Leggett made the BCCAA 1st team and Emily Nicholson was named to the leagues 2nd team.
BCCAA Provincials Website/Results
Congratulations to all the recpients !!
Complete list of Award winners (pdf)

19/10/09 - SOCCER OFF TO PROVINCIALS
A huge win ... for the VIU Mariner men's soccer team when they needed it most.
Photo Gallery
A 1-0 win over the defending national champs Capilano Blues earned VIU first place going into the Provincial Championships hosted by Douglas College in New Westminister this weekend. With the first place honors goes a first round bye, placing the M's in the semi-finals.
The Men also defeated Langara Falcons 2-0 in a soggy match on Saturday.
Read more in theNNB

Men's Draw at Provincials
Women's Draw at Provincials
The women's team had a successful weekend also with a tie on Saturday versus Langara and a 5-2 win over Capilano on Sunday. The VIU women placed second in their pool and will face 3rd Kwantlen in the cross over match friday. Winner advances to the semi's and the loser goes home.
Read More

13/10/09 - TWO MORE WINS FOR SOCCER
VIU won both games versus Quest -U on Sunday. The men and the women defeated Quest by identical scores of 2-0 and with those wins also have the same league record of 5 -1-3, both in second place in group B. Read more ..
Only two games remain in league play and they are at home this weekend against the Langara Falcons and Capilano Blues. If all goes well the final game of the year for the men could determine first place!! Read more in the NNB

05/10/09 - SOCCER UPDATE!!
Read More in the NNB
VIU soccer suffered its first losses of the season to the Douglas Royals on Saturday. Read More ...

30/09/09 - ARNETT WINS BCCAA ATHLETE OF WEEK!!
Congratulation Chris, the BCCAA League has selected you as the leagues Athlete of the week. Chris Arnett scored the first goal in both games this weekend to give him 4 goals in six games, he scored against Langara to get things started in a 6-0 win and then again against Capilano to help us to a 2-2 tie.
His contribution is not just on the score sheet but his consistent work rate, game in and game out creating a lot of chances and lead the team proving to be a great captain.Chris has shown that he is one of the top players in this league with his work, skill and leadership.!!

21/09/09 - SOCCER ENJOYING BEST SEASON EVER!!
Still both soccer teams are undefeated after each team has played 4 league games. The teams made the long journey to Prince George, with the women settling for a 2-2 tie, while the men recorded a 1-0 win, thanks to a first minute goal by Jared Stephens. Currently the women have 3 wins and a tie while the men have 2 wins and 2 ties This week they face the Capilano Blues and Langara Falcons on the road. Read More ...

16/09/09 - VIU SOCCER AWARDED BOTH
BCCAA ATHLETES OF THE WEEK !!
Robbie Cochrane and Aileen Holder have been named BCCAA athletes of the week. Robbie recorded two shutouts, leading the league in lowest GA and Aileen scored the winning goal versus UBCO and scored again in the TRU game, both goals coming off headers from corner kicks. CONGRATS !! Read more (pdf)
The VIU Women's Soccer team is ranked #10 in CANADA !! CCAA Rankings

28/09/09 - HOW ABOUT THOSE SOCCER TEAMS!!
The VIU Soccer teams continue to roll with impressive results this past weekend.
Read more in the NNB
On Saturday the men's team defeated the Langara Falcons 6-0 while the women tied the Falcons 1-1. Sunday the Women defeated Capilano 3-2 and the men tied the #1 nationally ranked Capilano Blues 2-2. Read more ...

14/09/09 - SOCCER TEAMS WIN AT HOME
An impressive weekend of soccer saw the VIU Mariners come away with three victories and one tie. The women's team is having one of their best seasons ever with three consecutive wins !! A 2-1 win over UBC Okanagan Heat on Saturday followed by a thrilling 4-3 win over the TRU WolfPack on Sunday. Read more ..
The Men's team shutout UBCO on Saturday 2-0 and battled TRU to a scoreless tie on Sunday. Robbie Cochrane was stellar in net recording both shutouts and therefore has been named VIU Mariner Athlete of the week.
Chris Arnett and Davis Stupich were the goal scores on Saturday versus UBCO.
Read more in the NDN or in the NNB
This weekend the teams compete in Prince George against the UNBC Timberwolves. PHOTOGRAPHS

24/08/09 - MEN'S SOCCER LOOKING SOLID!!
After several exhibition games the VIU Men's soccer team has had some impressive results. Just recently the M's went up 2-0 in a game against UVic before losing 3-2 and on Saturday tied Gordon Head a Div 1 team 1-1. Read More ...
On Thursday the team travels to Abbotsford to play the University of Fraser Valley Cascades.

18/08/09 - COACH MERRIMAN DOUBLE DUTY!!
Read it in the NDN

09/08/09 - MEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON!!

In preseason action the men's soccer team battled a strong team of University/Island All-Stars/Nanaimo United Alumni players in a
1-0 loss.
1st year Danny Cato (Campbell River) playing in the back did a great job playing with 2nd year player Ben Leggett, they worked well together. Davis Stupich (all-star winner at the Nationals last season) a transfer player from TRU covered a lot of ground up front and in the middle of the park. 1st year Romaie Martin (Saanich) showed that he has some great speed and skill and he will give teams some trouble to contain.Chris Arnett one of last seasons top players worked well in the middle of the park with 1st year player Akihairo Ishimine both player great skill and vision.
I felt even though it was a 1-0 lose it gave me a great chance to see our strengths and weakness’ ...comments Bill Merriman.
Photo Gallery

11/08/09 - TRAINING SCHEDULE (as of August 11th)

30/03/09 - NEW MEN'S SOCCER COACH!
Mariner Athletics is pleased to announce that Bill Merriman has agreed to take over the Head Coaching duties of the Mariner Men’s Soccer program. Bill brings 30 years of coaching experience ranging from Mid-Isle Youth and Ladies Premier League teams, Men’s Div one VISL teams to Metro & Selects All-star, BC Summer Games, Inter-Provincial League and European touring teams. Bill has received much recognition for his coaching over the years, including NDYSA Coach of the Year and runner up for BCSA coach of the year. Many of Bill’s former players have gone on to American and Canadian Universities as well as provincial and national team programs. Bill has also built strong relationships with many recognized coaching associates in Canada and the world. Mariner Athletics is thrilled to have Bill on board. We really feel that Bill has the coaching knowledge and connections in the soccer community to lead this team to the top of the College league in BC, said Athletic Director, Bruce Hunter. Read more in the NDN ..
The Mariners are currently holding tryouts and will begin league play in September.
Read more in the NNB

15/04/09 - LENNART SIGNS WITH HIGHLANDERS
Lennart Dobravsky has signed with the Highlanders !!
Read more ..
Victoria Highlanders FC is the newest franchise to join the United Soccer League (USL) family. The Highlanders will begin play in April 2009 as part of the Northwest Division of the 67 team Premier Development League (PDL). The PDL is a training ground for the best up and comers in the sport and a stepping stone to the major leagues. Highlanders FC players will be a consortium of NCAA Division I players, Canadian Under 20 National Team Players and local Vancouver Island players.
Just this past weekend the Highlanders edged Nanaimo United in a preseason evaluation match. Lennart was unable to play to to an injury. Read more

24/10/08 - LINK to SOCCER PROVINCIALS WEBSITE
..... or click logo above. Lots of great photos to check out !!
Provincials program (pdf)

06/10/08 - ROAD TRIP SPLIT FOR SOCCER
A good start to the weekend had the Mariner gals shutout the UNBC Timberwolves 2-0 with Sarah Schermerhorn (22nd minute) scoring first followed by Jolene Nagy (57th minute). The Mariner men went on a scoring frenzy in a 6-1 win over UNBC ...Lennard Dobravski (4 goals), Chris Arnett, Scott Innes. In a battle for a playoff spot VIU desperately needed wins over TRU ... the wins never came !!
A 4-1 loss for the women and 2-0 loss for the men. With only four games remaining for each team until playoffs, both teams are currently outside of a playoff berth and close to pushing the panic button. The BCCAA provincials are being hosted here in Nanaimo and the M's need to earn a top four ranking to advance to playoffs.

29/09/08 - SOCCER TEAMS EARN POINTS!!
The Mariner men earned a valueable 4 points on the weekend defeating Douglas 3-1, with goals coming from Chris Arnett, Lennart Dobravsky and Craig Hodel , and on sunday a 1-1 draw with Langara with the lone goal by Dean Thorsell. The team currently sits in fourth place and needs a solid finish to the season if there is any hope of provincials. The same situation for the women after a scoreless weekend .... a 0-0 tie with Douglas and a 3-0 loss to Langara. Currently tied for fourth with Kwantlen Eagles, the M's have six games remaining 3 on the road and 3 at home.

19/09/08 - SOCCER Lennart Dobravsky DN Feature
Read More ...

15/09/08 - SOCCER SPLITS
The M's had a successful Saturday with the women defeating the UNBC T-Wolves
3-0 and the men hanging on to a 2-1 win after German sensation Lennart Dobrovsky scored twice in the first half. At the half of the men's game the 1983 national champions were honored in front of a large crowd. Read More ...
President and Vice-Chancellor of VIU Ralph Nilson was on hand to present a commemorative
plaque to the 83' team.
Sunday the Mariners were out scored 9-0 ..Ouch !! The TRU women won 5-0 with the M's unable to capitalize on several golden opportunities. A simliar situation for the Mariner men that lost 4-0 and now face several games on the road, packing along a 1-3 record.

08/09/08 - Womens Soccer Team earns first victory Photo Gallery
On Saturday the Mariner women went up 2-0 on the Douglas Royals with goals coming from Emily Nicholson and Kate Flynn. Douglas scored late in the game from a free kick resulting in a 2-1 final score. The M's controlled
the game with Courtenay Crucil coming up big in net when needed. On Sunday the Mariners couldn't find the net being shutout 3-0 by the Langara Falcons. NNB Story
On the men's side the Mariners struggled, out scored 4-1 to Douglas and Langara with goals coming from Lennart Dubravsky (photo left) in the Douglas game and Songmun Choi in the Langara game.
Both teams are back in action on the Mariner Field this weekend !!
Read more in the NDN ..

26/08/08 - 25 year reunion - National Soccer Championships
It will be 25 years this Fall (November 1983) since Malaspina won its first national championship. DN Story
On Sept 13/14 the team will reunite at the Mariner home soccer games and be recognized at halftime of the men's game appox. 4pm .

The team will receive gifts and a commemorative plaque.
The Malaspina Mariners soccer team were unbeatable all season long. On the road to the Canadian Championships the Mariners scored 49 goals in the regular season and playoffs while conceding only 6. Throughout the 1983 season co-coaches Mike Armstrong and Les Malbon stressed team spirit , unity and defence. The system was a success as the Mariners shutout their opponents 11 times .
The overall record for the season was 12 wins and 6 ties.
The National Championships were held at Capilano College and the M's defeated Seneca College in the finals 1-0. Read More ..

04/09/08 - Mariner Soccer Prepares for a BIG Season!!
**** HOME OPENER THIS WEEKEND ****
Excitement is in the air with the hosting of the 2008 BCCAA Provincial Soccer Championships in Nanaimo Oct 25-26 . Both Mariner teams are busy preparing for the upcoming league games September 6 and 7th. NNB Story .
Just last weekend the women's team had some solid performances at the Victoria Castaways tournament. The Mariner women defeated the Castaways 5-0, tied the Gorge Premiere team 0-0 and lost to Nanaimo United 1-0.
The M's are determined to make playoffs .....Read More

26/08/08 - Mariners defeat Peninsula 5-0
A solid effort by all the Mariners resulted in a 5-0 win over the
Peninsula College Pirates from Port Angeles, Wash on Tuesday afternoon. Geoff Hacket recorded the shutout !! Lennart Dobravsky earned a hat trick, while Songmun Choi and Jared Stevens also helped fill the net. NDN Story

28/04/08 - MEN'S SOCCER playing well in preseason
NNB story

21/04/08 - MEN'S SOCCER training/tryouts
The VIU mens soccer team is holding its annual training/tryouts.
August 19,20,21,26,27,28, 6-8 pm, Mariner Field, Games will be scheduled as the training progresses, All times are subject to change as per field and game scheduling. Players who attend are urged to be in top fitness. Any players who may have any questions are invited to call Doug Milholm at 250 -729-1640 or email:
djmilholm@shaw.ca