(BRAEDAN WILLIS, VIKES COMMUNICATIONS)

VICTORIA- A late goal conceded by the University of Victoria Vikes gave the UNBC Timberwolves men's soccer team the 2-1 victory on Sept.27 at Centennial Stadium. Matteo Ventura scored six minutes into the game to give the Vikes an early 1-0 lead but two goals in the second half by the Timberwolves' Owen Stewart and Pierre Barrafranca gave them the victory. 

"This game was as hard as I thought it would be," said UNBC head coach Steve Simonson. "Their early goal made it that much harder on us. We are fortunate to have come here and take some points thanks to those two late goals at the end."

With the win, the Timberwolves improve to an overall record of 4-1-2, the Vikes fall to 3-4-3.

"We didn't capitalize on a few key opportunities in the first half," said Vikes head coach Bruce Wilson. " If we had been able to score on any of those chances, a two goal lead going into half time would have made a huge difference for us."

Just six minutes into the game, the first-year Vike Ventura put away his seventh goal of the season to give his team the early 1-0 lead. Besides a Ventura free kick in the 35^thminute, neither team could generate many dangerous scoring chances throughout the first half. Both teams hit the half time break with one shot on goal and six shots total. UNBC defender Gordon Hall had the lone shot on goal for his Timberwolves squad. 

The Timberwolves would get their first quality scoring chance in the 60^thminute of the match off the foot of Anthony Preston. The first-year from Prince George would have his shot go off the finger tips of Victoria goalkeeper Jas Lally and over the cross bar. UNBC would finally break through with a goal just nine minutes later from Owen Stewart to bring the match level at 1-1. Stewart's shot beat Lally low on the left side of the net. UNBC forward Pierre Barrafranca would beat Lally again with a shot into the top right corner of the net in the 83^rdminute to give his team a 2-1 lead and the eventual victory. 

The Vikes will head to the mainland for their next match against the UBC Thunderbirds on Oct.4. UNBC will also play their next game against the Thunderbirds tomorrow, Sept.28 in Vancouver. All games can be watched live at canadawest.tv.

SCORING SUMMARY
                 1          2:         F
UNBC:        0         2:         2
VIC:           1         0:         1
 
GAME MVPs

UNBC: #17 Gordon Hall 

VIC: #7 Matteo Ventura