The University of Fraser Valley Cascades have opened up their Canada West men's soccer league regular season with a victory. The Cascades broke a scoreless tie with a marker early in the second half as they downed the host Thompson Rivers University WolfPack 1-0 Monday (Aug 27) at Hillside Stadium.

This game was originally slated to be played on Saturday, August 25^th. But it was postponed due to wildfire smoke in the BC Interior.

Ryan Donald came off the bench to score the lone goal in the 46^th minute.

SYNOPSIS

After a scoreless first half, where the WolfPack dominated offensively with seven shots, Fraser Valley got on the board first. Ryan Donald (3^rd year, defender, Surrey, BC) was inserted into the line up to begin the second half. He found the back of the net in the 47^th minute after knocking home a rebound after a free kick.

The Pack looked to counter a minute later when on a free kick of their own, Mitch Popadynetz (5^th year, midfield, Nelson, BC) took a free kick which was headed towards by net by Josh Banton (2^nd year, defender, London, England).   Fraser Valley keeper Alex Skrzeta (5^th year, Coquitlam, BC) stretched to his left to keep it out.

The WolfPack had 16 shots to Fraser Valley's 7.  Seven of those TRU shots made it to the net.  Fraser Valley had seven shots on Alex Ram, who played goal for Thompson Rivers.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: 

click here

KEY STATS:

Goal scoring:

1. UFV-Ryan Donald capitalized on rebound off a free kick. (1^st of the year)-47:00   UFV  1  TRU 0

2. Shots:    UFV: 3-4:7   TRU:   7-9:16     Corners:   TRU 2-2:4   UFV  2-3:5

Saves:   TRU 0-1:1   UFV    3-4:7          Shots on Goal:  TRU 3-4:7      UFV  0-1:1

Fouls:      TRU 8-6:14    UFV:  65:11 

Keepers:  TRU:         Alex Ram (2nd year, Leicester, England)  

                  UFV:         Alex Skrzeta (5^th year, Coquitlam, BC)

RECORDS:

TRU 0-1    UFV 1-0

QUOTES:

TRU head coach John Antulov:

On Match" It's been a while we played. There was a little bit of rust in our game especially going forward and attack. I thought defensively we were solid. We made one little mistake at the back there. Kudos to them. They battled well. They are a well-organized team and tough to break down. I thought their keeper made three big saves."

On Offensive Spurts: "You could see the rust there. We were giving the ball away in bad areas. Timing was off. That has to do with us not getting out on the field to play some games. I did see some good things. We can build on this. It's a little bit frustrating for us right now. But it is OK. It's first game and we can move forward."

Coaches Video Post Game Interview: click here

TRU Defender Harry Coles (2^nd year, Prees, England)

On TRU chances:" We had a lot of chances. But it doesn't mean much if you can't get one in. I thought their keeper made two superb saves. We need to bury more of our chances in the top third of the park"

On his first Canada West start: "This is what I came to do. I wasn't very nervous. I would have wished we would have come away with the three points."

Harry Coles Post Game Interview: click here

UFV head coach Tom Lowndes (4^th season):

On Victory: "It wasn't pretty at times. Second half we had to absorb a lot of pressure but I was pleased with the way we defended. Fantastic effort. Last year, we gave up way too many goals. We talked about being tougher defensively. That's the way we half to be if we are going to reach our goal of making the playoffs To come here and play a strong team and not give up any goals is a big achievement."

On play of keeper Alex Skreta: "We have two brilliant fifth year keepers and they have been battling it out all preseason. It has been really close. "

Coaches Video Post Game Interview:  click here

UP NEXT:

The WolfPack will close out their two game home stretch with a match against that UBCO Heat on Friday, August 31^st at Hillside Stadium. Webcast on Canada West TV will begin around 6:50pm.  Says Antulov about the match: " Once again, it is going to be a battle. It doesn't matter who you have or who it is.  Against UBCO is its going to be tough. They are well coached."

OF NOTE:   The "TRU Bookstore/McDonalds Leader of the Pack Player of the Match" was Harry Coles (2^nd year, defender, Prees, England).