2013 USL PDL Play-offs and Club Honors

USL PDL Play-offs
If you are a VHFC supporter and haven't heard already (were you living under a rock), our Highlanders won the PDL Western Conference title. Yet another first in our little club's storied year. Supporters' Choice Player of the Year Brett Levis led the way with scoring three goals in the two matches and Riley O'Neill was brilliant in the midfield, acting like the general he has been doing all season. Plus the consistent back four stood tall against both Ventura County and Portland.

Game reports of both matches are linked below.

West Conference Semifinal #1: Victoria 3-2 (aet) Ventura County

http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/home/741942.html

West Conference Final: Victoria 1-0 Portland U23

http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/home/742161.html

Here is a link to the remaining PDL Play-offs in the Southern, Central and Eastern Conferences.
2013 USL PDL Play-offs

With that win, we have confirmed out birth in the 2013 PDL Championships on the weekend of August 2-4 in Austin, TX. Austin was confirmed hosts on Sunday evening after the West Conference Final and was leaked out by the Thunder Bay Chill through their Twitter account 30 minutes prior to USL PDL announcing it. 

Fri Aug 2 Semifinal #1: 15.00 PST KO   Victoria v Thunder Bay Chill
Fri Aug 2 Semifinal #2: 17.30 PST KO    Austin Aztex v Ocean City Nor'easters
Sun Aug 4 Final: 17.30 PST KO SF1-W v SF2-W

In the upcoming days, club profiles will be posted on the Lake Side Buoys site of the four clubs that earned berths to the PDL Finals. This is a joint effort between bloggers/writers from Victoria, Ocean City, Austin and Thunder Bay. All four writer's work will be shown on each of the bloggers sites to bring the PDL Finals to the forefront.
Austin Soccer Insider (Austin Aztex) http://austinsoccerinsider.com/

Global Premier Soccer (Thunder Bay Chill) http://www.globalpremiersoccer.com/
Ocean City Nor'easters

PDL ALL-Conference Teams
On Tuesday July 30th, the PDL announced the All-Conference teams and two Highlanders made the list for All-Western Conference team. Congratulations to both captain Tyler Hughes and club top goal scorer/Supporters' Choice Award winner Brett Levis to making the list.
Western Conference

GK – David Meves, Portland Timbers U-23s
D – Derrick Bassi, Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23
D – Chris Brundage, Sounders FC U23
D – Tyler Hughes, Victoria Highlanders FC
D – Trevor Spurgeon, Fresno Fuego
MF – Zach Barnes, Portland Timbers U-23s
MF – Paul Islas, Fresno Fuego
MF – Bobby Jhutty, Van. Whitecaps FC U-23
F – Niall Cousens, Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23
F – Brett Levis, Victoria Highlanders FC
F – Tyler Reinhart, Fresno Fuego

2013 USL PDL Season Update

So I know it's been a while since anything has been posted here on our supporters section website but both admins have been a little busy with work, family life and watching our Victoria Highlanders FC on the pitch.

First Team
As for the product on the pitch this season, the gaffer Steve Simonson has done a great job in building a First Team side by re-signing our stand out veterans and new players from across US and Canada. Simonson has further developed and expanded his change in tactics from the long ball approach from the back Ian Bridge employed. To now short one-two passes through the middle and using the wingers as a way to probe deep into the opponents third of the pitch. And have this paid off in dividends. As of writing this post, Highlanders FC are 3-1-1 second in the Northwest Division (3 points behind the Portland Timbers U23). In this good run of form, we've beaten Kitsap and Sounders FC U23 handily (3-0 and 4-1 respectively). But a tough loss at RAP to the Whitecaps, 5-3, this past Friday put a dent into a undefeated season plus shows some weaknesses in the left back position. The Highlanders have two more home matches (June 8 v Washington & June 14 v North Sound) before they head on the road for a month.

Pre-Match BBQs
Prior to every home match, we are hosting a pre-match BBQ at Central Park (one block up from RAP) for all home and traveling supporters. Usually the BBQ runs from two hours til thirty minutes before KO. Burgers and refreshments are being served. If you want either, make sure you reserve your burger and refreshment numbers on the LSB Facebook page under the pre-match BBQ event pages prior to the next home match. All money raised in the pre-match BBQs go toward the LSBs and funding future group swag and funding pre-match BBQs in future seasons. All is welcome as it promotes support for our club but good nature sportsmanship with the traveling supporters
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LSBs Scarves and Memberships
So everyone knows that during the off-season we started a supporters group membership drive that includes both a membership card and a LSB scarf for $20. An update on this: the scarves are still in production from our Poland manufacturer but should be ready to be shipped out this week. When we receive the order of scarves, all supporters who ordered a membership or just a scarf will be given them in due course. Plus supporters who live outside of Vancouver Island, they will be posted to you. Keep checking here and on our Facebook page for updates. With that, we are still taking orders for both LSB memberships and LSB scarves. If you want either, just place your order through the PayPal transaction box on the top right of the side bar. Talking about swag, we still have one remaining limited edition LSB t-shirt for sale, size large. We are selling it for $20 and if you are interested in purchasing it, contact us through the LSB Facebook page or come one over to the LSB section (section 7) at RAP on matchdays and ask for Mike.

 So if you come to any Victoria Highlanders FC matches at RAP and want to join us in our section for some signing, chanting and good banter...everyone is more than welcome to join us, young and old! We are here to create a true football experience not just for the lads on the pitch but for everyone at RAP.

Come On You Highlanders! #COYH

Vote for Deals!

With opening day a mere 45 days away there is plenty to keep supporters busy including committing your future to the Lake Side and elections to the inaugural Highlanders Supporters Board.

 

Lake Side Scarves

Lake Side Buoys 2013 Membership

The 2013 Lake Side Buoys membership is now available to purchase through the website's PayPal links. At a cost of $20, you will receive the newly designed Lake Side Buoys scarf and a personalized membership card. Currently, the Executive is looking into tying a partner pub to the supporters group which you will be able to access these deals through the membership. Membership packages will be available to pick up at a future date/time through a group function prior to the start of the season. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Mike Schlodder or Julian Anderson on the LSB Facebook page.

2013 Victoria Highlanders FC AGM

On Monday, January 28th the Victoria Highlanders FC held their annual general meeting at Gorge FC clubhouse. It was a nice turn out by the Lake Side Buoys to show their support for the club's 2013 season and beyond. Minutes from the AGM will posted to the website as soon as they are compiled by our Director of Communications. A brief overview of the AGM can be found through this link to the VHFC website