Pacific FC advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Canadian Championship after a 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Cavalry FC at Starlight Stadium in Victoria Thursday night.
Penalty kicks were required after the knockout game ended 1-1.
Myer Bevan gave the visiting Cavs the lead in the 28th minute, latching on to a long ball and firing low past Pacific’s keeper Emil Gazdov. But Easton Ongaro equalized for the hosts on the 38th minute – the tall striker rising high to score a text book header past Cavs keeper Marco Carducci.
Neither side managed to take the lead after that, forcing both teams to the spot after 90 minutes to determine a winner.
And it was Pacific’s 19-year-old keeper Gazdov who proved the hero, saving defender Daan Klomp’s penalty to allow Georges Mukumbilwa to score the winning kick and send the hosts through to face fellow BC club TSS Rovers in the quarterfinals in May.
Pacific FC (white) vs Cavalry FC (black) in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Starlight Stadium Thursday, April 20, 2023. Photo: Kelly Wallace/Total Soccer News
Pacific FC vs Cavalry FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Starlight Stadium Thursday, April 20, 2023. Photo: Kelly Wallace/Total Soccer News
Pacific FC vs Cavalry FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Starlight Stadium Thursday, April 20, 2023. Photo: Kelly Wallace/Total Soccer News
Pacific FC vs Cavalry FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Starlight Stadium Thursday, April 20, 2023. Photo: Kelly Wallace/Total Soccer News
Pacific FC vs Cavalry FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Starlight Stadium Thursday, April 20, 2023. Photo: Kelly Wallace/Total Soccer News
Pacific FC vs Cavalry FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Starlight Stadium Thursday, April 20, 2023. Photo: Kelly Wallace/Total Soccer News
Pacific FC vs Cavalry FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Starlight Stadium Thursday, April 20, 2023. Photo: Kelly Wallace/Total Soccer News
Pacific FC vs Cavalry FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Starlight Stadium Thursday, April 20, 2023. Photo: Kelly Wallace/Total Soccer News
Pacific FC vs Cavalry FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Starlight Stadium Thursday, April 20, 2023. Photo: Kelly Wallace/Total Soccer News
Pacific FC vs Cavalry FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Starlight Stadium Thursday, April 20, 2023. Photo: Kelly Wallace/Total Soccer News
Pacific FC vs Cavalry FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Starlight Stadium Thursday, April 20, 2023. Photo: Kelly Wallace/Total Soccer News
Pacific FC vs Cavalry FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Starlight Stadium Thursday, April 20, 2023. Photo: Kelly Wallace/Total Soccer News
Pacific FC vs Cavalry FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Starlight Stadium Thursday, April 20, 2023. Photo: Kelly Wallace/Total Soccer News
Pacific FC vs Cavalry FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Starlight Stadium Thursday, April 20, 2023. Photo: Kelly Wallace/Total Soccer News
Pacific FC vs Cavalry FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Starlight Stadium Thursday, April 20, 2023. Photo: Kelly Wallace/Total Soccer News
Pacific FC vs Cavalry FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Starlight Stadium Thursday, April 20, 2023. Photo: Kelly Wallace/Total Soccer News
Pacific FC vs Cavalry FC in the first round of the 2023 Canadian Championship at Starlight Stadium Thursday, April 20, 2023. Photo: Kelly Wallace/Total Soccer News
