Cowichan LMG Pringle is only two wins away from running the table in the first round of the Div. 1 Island Soccer League season.
Cowichan made it seven straight wins by handing Nanaimo United just its second loss of the season, 3-1, Friday night at the Ladysmith Turf. The game was moved on short notice due to field conditions at Sherman Road's Bill Keserich Field in Duncan.
It was thought this would be a stiff test for Cowichan since four of its six previous victories were against teams in the bottom half of the standings. Cowichan never allowed Nanaimo into the game, holding the territorial advantage and momentum for most of it.
"We took a while to score, but we were playing well,'' said Cowichan coach Glen Martin.
The first goal was a bit of a strange one off a set piece at 34 minutes. Tyler Hughes' corner kick somehow found its way past everyone.
"It was kind of a mad scramble, but none of our guys wound up touching it,'' said Martin.
"Then we had a bit of a letdown after that.''
But Cowichan held onto the 1-0 lead at halftime. Martin made minimal changes at the break but switched from a 4-5-1 alignment to a 4-4-2.
Ryan Andre was the benefactor of a good chance at 57 minutes and scored another rather odd goal.
The last one, though, was a beauty, as Kevan Brown continued his recent hot streak with a brilliant header off a Dan Citra cross at 66 minutes.
Joel Wilson's shutout held up until the 85th minute when George Horne took a player down in the box and Nanaimo scored on the ensuing penalty shot.
"I was disappointed in that one,'' said Martin. "We should be able to finish these games off.''
Cowichan has only allowed three goals this season, two of them in the late stages.
Cowichan has played all seven of its games at home to date and continues the streak of nine before hitting the road by taking on the Prospect Lake Lakers Friday. The game is scheduled for Bill Keserich Field, but could be moved depending on field conditions.