The Douglas College Royals opened the Canadian Colleges' men's soccer national championships with a resounding 7-1 win over defending champion Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.
The Royals got three first-half goals from player of the game Javid Khan and singles from midfielders Jag Gill and Mark McQuade, defender Devin Phelan and team captain Dylan Myers.
Khan opened the scoring before the match was less than 10 minutes old on a scramble in front.
Shortly afterward, NAIT got the equalizer from Monty Haines, the leading scorer in the country.
Later in the half, Khan scored the eventual game-winner with his second of the game.
Phelan then headed home a goal off a corner kick. Khan finished off his hat trick with a goal on a penalty kick just before half time.
Myers got the Royals going again in the second half, slotting home a second corner kick attempt.
Gill also scored on a penalty kick.
The first day of the nationals was filled with upsets.
No. 1 nationally ranked Southern Alberta Institute of Technology was dumped 1-0 by No. 8 Seneca College.
Last year's national runner-up Holland College of P.E.I. also went home packing following a 3-0 upset by PacWest runner-up Vancouver Island University.
Douglas College faced Vancouver Island late Thursday (after Record deadlines).
The winner of the match goes straight to the gold-medal final to be held at Cunnings Field in Coquitlam on Saturday. Game time is scheduled for 5 p.m.
