Rich Abney, UNBC
September 29, 2017 – With the rain pouring down, the UNBC Timberwolves didn't let an opportunity for results slip by them, beating the ever-dangerous UBC Thunderbirds 1-0 on September 29, 2017.
Coming into the matinee matchup, the Thunderbirds boasted a 5-1-1 record, scoring 23 goals and allowing just three. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves were 3-4-3, but had deserved better in a number of games on the Canada West schedule.
The Timberwolves had a chance to open the scoring in the 21st minute, but Francesco Bartolillo's shot from the top of the 16-yard box struck the crossbar and was cleared away.
However, Stuart Rowlands knew that sometimes smarter is better than harder, and in the 41st minute, he chipped it up and over UBC goalkeeper Chad Bush to make it a 1-0 game for the Timberwolves.
"He is a good, strong striker that can hold it up," said UBC's Kerman Pannu. "I don't think they caused us too many problems, other than that goal, but they were certainly looking for it."
Steve Simonson's squad came out in the second half protecting their lead, but the Thunderbirds dictated much of the play for the first 15 minutes. UNBC was actually the side that managed the best scoring chances, however, as Gordon Hall had back-to-back header opportunities on Dan Goodey corners. One attempt hit the post, while the other went just wide, so the advantage remained.
"Coach Steve does a really good job looking at game tapes, and identifying places where they can be exposed," said UNBC defender Brett Bobier after tha game. "We knew they were a team that likes to pinch, so we were trying to take advantage."
Late in the match, UBC pressed for the equalizer, and nearly had it in extra time. A scramble in front found Kristian Yi-Hietane, but his shot attempt slowly trickled just inches wide of the post.
When the referee blew the final whistle, Timberwolves keeper Ty Venhola had earned a 10-save shutout, and UNBC had earned the program's first victory over UBC.
"We needed that for playoffs, we needed that for our confidence," said Bobier. "We have been playing well and not getting the results, so we knew we could do that. But it feels amazing to accomplish it."
"They outworked us, right off the bat. You could see that they wanted it, and we took the game easier than we should have," said Pannu. "They played well today. We are going to reflect on it, watch the video, and come back tomorrow."
"We feel unbelievable," said Bobier. "We've never had a game like that against UBC. They're a top-class team. They had their chances, and we had ours, but we did what we needed to do defensively, and we held them."
With the win, UNBC moves to 4-4-3, while UBC drops to 5-2-1. They clash again on Saturday at 1:30 PM.