Pacific FC closed the Canadian Premier League’s Fall season on a high, grabbing a 2-0 win over Valour FC in front of a sold-out crowd at Westhills Stadium.

Zach Verhoven opened the scoring in the 12th minute when the winger got on the end of a line-breaking backheel pass from Terran Campbell, slotting a chip over Tyson Farago. Another in-on-goal chip from Verhoven minutes later marked a strong first 20 minutes of play from the hosts.

Valour’s chances were few and far between in the first half. A freekick from Bustos was as close as they got, challenging Pacific keeper Nolan Wirth.

Pacific, under assistant coach James Merriman after Michael Silberbauer left the club this week, continued holding large swaths of possession well into the second half.

Valour started getting their own passing touch through the hour-mark. Snippy possession led by Marco Bustos, Tyler Attardo and Jose Galan put PFC on the backfoot at times.

Pacific FC would, however, soon seal the win via Canadian international Ben Fisk. The captain went unmarked at the back post in the 61st minute, taking time to control the ball and place an effort in front of the Lake Side Buoys.

Fisk would leave the pitch soon after, giving the captain’s armband to Marcel de Jong, who closed the 2019 season with just his third appearance.

Pacific ends 2019 with 20 points in the Fall season (5-5-8), jumping up to fourth, leapfrogging a Valour side that earned 19 points through 18 matches (5-4-9).

Box Score

Goals
27′ – Zachary Verhoven (Pacific FC)
61′ – Ben Fisk (Pacific FC)

Discipline
36′ Yellow – Jose Galan (Valour FC)
42′ Yellow – David Norman (Pacific FC)
72′ Yellow – Diego Gutiérrez (Valour FC)
91′ Yellow –Issey Nakajima-Farran (Pacific FC)

Three Key Performers

Zach Verhoven (Pacific FC)

PFC’s tricky young winger made due with his litany of clear-cut chances in the first half. Great finishes, too, testing Farago with a pair of tricky attempts.

Ben Fisk (Pacific FC)

Captain on the day, Fisk led by example. Five shots, three on target and two key passes were all team-high totals. Quite the celebration in front of the home supporters, too.

Nolan Wirth (Pacific FC)

A series of key saves made Pacific FC’s win more and more certain as the 2019 season closed. Six stops in total, Wirth was perfect when called upon and good value for his clean sheet.