Len Catling, UBC Thunderbirds

VANCOUVER – A fiery match-up between two division rivals ended as close as it could when the UBC Thunderbirds used a converted penalty kick in the second half by midfielder Kyle Sohi to defeat Trinity Western University 1-0 on Saturday night at Thunderbird Stadium.

The win was UBC's second in as many nights and pushes the 'Birds to a perfect 2-0 record early in the Canada West season. UBC will rely on a bevy of first- and second-year players in 2017 and they battled hard against a veteran-laden TWU team. Freshly appointed team captain Karn Phagura will be tasked with leading the young group.

"It's a honour going into my fourth year to be appointed captain," said Phagura post-game. "All the guys who have been captains my first three years were big roles models in developing me as a player on and off the field. I just want to be able to do the same for the younger guys this year."

UBC got the first chance of the game, when freshman star striker Victory Shumbusho, gathered a bouncing ball on his right foot and fired a strike at TWU 'keeper Sebastian Colyn. Colyn ranged to his right and stuffed the shot on the goal line.

The next chance, albeit a half-chance at best, belonged to TWU's Cody Fransen, who leapt and directed a header at UBC goalie Chad Bush. Bush was positioned perfectly and grabbed the ball with both hands.

The game's deciding moments didn't come until the 56th minute when a probing run down the left wing by Zach Verhoven was met with a hard foul by a TWU defender in the penalty area. Kyle Sohi stepped to the spot and nailed a shot to Colyn's right. Colyn got two gloves on the ball, but it careened into the top corner giving the 'Birds a 1-0 lead.

The UBC defence and Bush shut the door the rest of the way, propelling the 'Birds to a six-point, opening-weekend sweep at Thunderbird Stadium.

"The two teams we played this weekend aren't slouches. You can't come up with a better start to the season," said Bush who heaped post-game praise on the youthful group of defenders who played in front of him.

"It's nice to have a secure backline in front of you. We've been working really hard these last two games and even in pre-season to get that chemistry right. We've shown a strong back four right off the bat and we'll work to keep that going into the season."

UBC will hit the road next weekend for games against UBC Okanagan in Kelowna on September 2 and Thompson Rivers in Kamloops on September 3.

Trinity Western will host Northern BC for a pair of games Sept. 1-2 in Langley.

PHOTO CREDIT: Rich Lam/UBC Thunderbirds