Rich Abney, UNBC
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – The UNBC Timberwolves threw everything but the kitchen sink at UFV Cascades goalkeeper David Hicks in the final fifteen minutes of their October 13th, 2017 matchup, but came away with only a 2-2 draw for their efforts.
Both Pacific Division sides came into the evening with victory the ideal result to keep their playoff aspirations alive. Both Pacific Division sides came away disappointed after a draw.
"We needed the win, UNBC needed the win," said UFV's Brady Weir postgame. "At the end we were both going for it, because a point didn't really do us any good. It really showed the quality of players on both sides, matching up well."
The Cascades opened the scoring in the 26th minute, when Weir and Spencer Williams turns a give-and-go into a breakaway that Weir converted for his 4th of the campaign.
However, the home side Timberwolves answered just six minutes later. Canada West all-star Gordon Hall buried a header off a gorgeous Dan Goodey corner, beating Hicks, and knotting the game at one apiece.
In the 62nd minute, Gurmaan Jhaj found himself open after a cross into the box. He made no mistake for his second of the season, and the TWolves again found themselves playing catch-up.
Steve Simonson's squad turned it on, realizing they needed the results in their push for the postseason.
The Timberwolves had a number of tremendous scoring opportunities, including a point-blank Brett Bobier header that was turned awau by Hicks.
In the 86th minute, fifth-year Cheona Edzerza found a Jonah Smith free kick, and his header found the mesh, making it a 2-2 match.
The TWolves were not done there, and thought they had the game won just minutes later. Francesco Bartolillo's header found the inside of the far post, but Hicks was able to reach and grab the ball off the line, maintaining the deadlock.
"We got a lot of balls on net, and a lot of chances, with a lot of positivity," said UNBC's Conrad Rowlands. "We just couldn't find the finishing one."
The Cascades' Weir said his team felt fortunate to come away with a point.
"Obviously, we got lucky, but it is what it is. It's the game."
With the tie, the Timberwolves move to 4-5-6, while the Cascades now sit 4-6-3.
"We have to go back to what was working for us," said Weir. "We got away from the quick passing, and we need get back to that tomorrow."
The teams will clash in a rematch, Saturday, October 14th at 5 PM. It will be the final game of the regular season for the Timberwolves.
"We know what we are capable of," said Rowlands. "We showed today how close we can get, and we are going to break out more of that tomorrow."