Gideon Hill/UBC Thunderbirds
Vancouver - On the strength of two second half goals the UBC Thunderbirds men's soccer team earned a 2-0 victory over the UFV Cascades at Ken Woods Field Friday night to remain unbeaten on the season.
It's a fourth straight win for UBC who were coming off two massive victories over the University of Victoria Vikes last weekend, meanwhile the Cascades were coming off a tough two game divisional battle with the Trinity Western Spartans, dropping both games by a one goal margin.
The home team had heavy possession through the first 15 minutes, and nearly capitalized with it. Mackenzie Cole strippedthe ball off of UFV keeper Alex Skrzeta before trying to find Kristian Yli-Hietanen but the intended ball just squeezed past the T-Bird striker's foot and just wide.
Two minutes later in the 17th, Thomas Gardner pushed forward from his midfield position and dangerously into the UFV box, playing a low ball to Victory Shumbusho who was making his first start of the season for UBC, but he mis hit his shot in a great position.
In the 26th minute the visitors would have a golden opportunity of their own from distance with Cascade sub David Parfett firing a left footed volley from 25 yards out, but UBC goalkeeper Jason Roberts was in good position to swallow up the attempt.
Scoreless into the 29th minute, Gardner had the best chance of the game for both sides as his team was awarded a free kick about 25 yards out from goal to the left of Skrzeta. Gardner who's been deadly on the season entering the match with five goals from free kicks, just about made it a sixth when his set piece delivery rung off the post and into UFV possession for a break the other way.
An intense Pacific Division matchup was deadlocked at 0-0 as the halftime whistle blew on the Point Grey campus.
UBC head coach Mike Mosher was asked after the game about his squad's ability to change their style of play from the first half to the second which helped result in a goal.
"More urgency and personality were needed after that first half." He also spoke about what aided his team's effort. "We were in third gear for the first half, but I wanted the boys to crank it up a bit and they did, the second half was faster and had greater pace, allowing us to score the two big goals."
With both sides needing more as the second stanza started, UBC was the team that came out flying, acquiring more and more of the ball as the minutes ticked away.
The Thunderbirds would be rewarded after some good team buildup, culminating with a strike from Rylan Sangha in the 52nd minute. Zach Verhoven collected a low ball on the turf from left back Jora Saran, and in the process of receiving the ball was fouled by a UFV player. Thankfully for UBC, referee Juan Marquez played advantage, allowing Verhoven to continue the play, placing a delightful ball down the left wing, where Cole burst onto it, besting a Cascade defender and playing a low ball into Sangha. The second half sub who replaced Victory Shumbusho did the rest, dribbling past a couple defenders and placing a laser low far side on Skrzeta for a huge T-Bird lead.
UBC would collect their second tally not long after, as Thomas Gardner was at the fore front once again for the Thunderbirds scoring off a sensational free kick from 25 yards out. Cole was fouled 25 yards out from goal, a man who was the focus of the UFV defensive effort in this one. The first year T-Bird who had taken numerous free kicks to this point in the match, considered for a moment whether he wanted to take on the set piece or not, ultimately deciding to take it himself, curling a beautiful ball into the UFV net to the top right of Skrzeta, for a 2-0 lead in the 59th minute for the hosts.
In addition, Mosher talked about Gardner and those miraculous free kicks.
"Thomas is deadly on set pieces, he missed a couple earlier, and considered taking this one, but when he did, it was worth it for him."
Though trailing 2-0 the Cascades did not fold, as they pressed forward trying to find a way back into the match. UFV won a free kick inside UBC territory in the 72nd, with Parfett who was dangerous all evening, stepping up to take it. The second-year Cascade played a high ball in back post to the right of Roberts, that was met by the head of rookie midfielder Trevor Zanatta who sent if off the cross bar.
With tempers starting to slightly flare, both sides would try to settle the play down by keeping the ball on the turf, which almost allowed UFV to capitalize in the 88th minute. Canada West leading scorer Gurmaan Jhaj broke forward for the visiting team from Abbotsford, playing a tidy ball into the feet of midfielder Parman Minhas. As Minhas ran forward, the ensuing ball popped up and the midfielder struck a rising volley just over the UBC net.
That would be the last chance for the Cascades, on a UBC backline that was steadfast all night, keeping UFV off the scoresheet for their third shutout in the last three home games.
UBC (11-0-2) look to keep the victories coming tomorrow night as they visit a tough Trinity Western team, who look to avenge the 2-0 loss that was handed to them by UBC in the Thunderbirds home opener back on September 2nd. Tomorrow's game kicks off at 7:15PM in Langley.
Post game, Mosher looked ahead to the game tomorrow against the Spartans.
"Tomorrow will be tough, Trinity has a good team, I am sure they will be up for it because they are also battling for a playoff spot, it will be a great game"
Meanwhile the Cascades (6-5-1) visit the Vikes tomorrow at Centennial Stadium in Victoria, that game also taking place at 7:15, as they look to get back on track following three straight losses.
PHOTO: Rich Lam/UBC Thunderbirds