July 26 Game Report: And that’s a wrap!
- Elise Coates
- Jul 29
- 4 min read
And with that, the 2025 League1 BC season has come to an end! The men finished the season with a bang and won 4-1 against Unity FC. The ladies played valiantly and scored an early goal, but Unity FC snagged the final 3 points of the season.
WOMEN’S GAME
Ava Alexander started the women’s game off strong with a goal 3 minutes into the first half. Unity laid the attack on thick however and scored twice in the first half, and twice more in the second half. It was a tough final match, but the ladies showed up and left with their heads held high as always.
With a group of NUFC ladies heading off to start their university preseasons - Ruby Nicholas and Ella Ashfield to name a couple - the squad was in need of a few extra bodies for the roster. Sophia Montpetit answered the call. Sophia has claimed the title of youngest call-up in Nanaimo United’s League1 history. At only 15 years old, the Vancouver Island Wave player seriously held her own and crushed her first semi-pro experience. She filled us in on how it went:
Getting to be in that environment was an amazing experience and opportunity that I am very grateful for. I haven’t worn Nanaimo United colours since I was in U13 Rep so putting on that jersey felt incredible. Walking on to the field was intense but I was excited to get the chance to play at that level. The team was really welcoming and I had a great day all around.
I hope I'll get the chance to put that jersey back on!
Erin Jensen, a local player with many years of League1 and varsity experience, got to play her first few minutes of the season on Saturday. Returning from a nasty Achilles injury and surgery, it was great to see her back on the roster, even if it was just for the last game. Welcome back to the pitch, Erin!
“The team rallied around each other and bought into our game plan showing such positive growth over the season,” commented women’s coach Bobbie Taylor. “If we want to finish in the top half of the standings we need to show consistency on the field. The top teams are very tidy and intentional.”
MEN’S GAME
The men put on a goal scoring clinic this weekend! Unity FC scored an early goal, but League1 rookie and VIU player Josh Rayner tied it up at the end of the first half with his first League1 goal. What a way to end his first season! Fellow VIU players and brothers Maxwell and Marshall Dadzie were subbed on for the second half and made an immediate impact on the game. Maxwell scored in the 75th minute and Marshall followed suit with another in the 80th. To finish off the game strong, local League1 veteran Suka Behery put one in the back of the net in the final minute. An absolute goal-scoring spree!
Left to right: Maxwell and Marshall Dadzie, Josh Rayner.
This year’s team was a young one - NUFC saw massive growth in the number of young local players who got the opportunity to play at the League1 level. “Brian Bland, Marshall and Maxwell Dadzie, Connor Nelson were integrated into the squad in a big way,” noted technical lead Daragh Fitzgerald. Some major highlights of the season include the men’s win over the Whitecaps (read about it here) and now Unity!
THANK YOU
It was a season of growth and we couldn’t be more grateful for your continued support. Thanks for following along and cheering on our squads through the ups and downs.
Left to right: Captain Kate Reynolds, Taylor Kinley, Suka Behery.
This year was RLR Lawyers’ third year in a row with us and we are proud to announce that we will be partnering with them again next year! Our jerseys wouldn’t look right without their logo on the front. We are stoked and incredibly grateful for this partnership.
Seaview Home and Auto Glass made sure everyone under 18 could get in on the fun by sponsoring all youth supporters - this meant all youth tickets were free of charge! Kids under 18 got to come watch semi-pro soccer right in their backyard with no barriers.
Wildewood Health was at every single one of our home games and made sure our athletes were as ready as they could be for the pitch. From broken thumb tape jobs to quad and hamstring maintenance, they provided top notch support all season. Thank you, Wildewood!
Shout-out to our other club sponsors:
O’Neills - Team Kit
Junk in Our Trunk - Practice Kit (did you see those awesome warm up and practice kits?!)
Martin Velsen Team - Primary Field Sponsor
And our partners:
Footprints Security
Nanaimo Track and Field - thank you for sharing your clubhouse facilities!
City of Nanaimo
Nanaimo News Bulletin - Media Sponsor
Jingle Pot Pub - Ice for players!
Until next year!
United!
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