(BRAEDAN WILLIS, VIKES COMMUNICATIONS)

VICTORIA- Matteo Ventura scored his ninth goal of the season and the game winner on Oct. 13 when the University of Victoria Vikes defeated the Fraser Valley Cascades by a score of 2-1 at Centennial Stadium in Victoria. 

This was the final home of 2018 for the Vikes, who honoured their only graduating player Mackenzie Rigg before the match. 

"I couldn't have asked for much more tonight," said the fifth-year Rigg. "We got the result we needed as we continue to push for a playoff spot. It feels a bit bitter sweet to have played my last home game but we with the win we live to see another day so it's not over yet."

The Cascades fall to a record of 6-6-1 on the season but still sit in the third spot in the Canada West pacific division. However, they have the UNBC Timberwolves right behind them in fourth.

"I thought we managed the ball poorly, made poor decisions and played way to direct," commented Cascades head coach Tom Lowndes after the loss. "We will need to go back to basics and start being a team that is tough to play against if we want to turn this around and secure a playoff spot."

The Vikes drew first blood in the match when Rees Goertzen scored his first of the year in the 13^thminute. Ian Whibley crossed the ball into the box, causing a scramble in front of the net before Goertzen picked up the loose ball and put in the back of the net to give the Vikes the early 1-0 lead. The Cascades answered back just two minutes later when Charandeep Rangi beat Victoria keeper Harjot Nijjar who was starting just his third game of the season. The two teams would remain scoreless for the remainder of the opening half. 

The Vikes would have first prime scoring opportunity in the second half when Whibley found himself in alone with just the keeper David Hicks to beat. Hicks made an aggressive challenge to force Whibley to attempt a chip shot that ended up going over the net. Ventura restored the Vikes lead in the 65^thminute with the ninth goal of his campaign. Ventura's goal proved to the be the game winner for the Vikes, winning by a final score of 2-1. 

The Vikes will conclude their regular season next weekend on the road with games against Thompson Rivers and UBC Okanagan on Oct. 20-21. The Fraser Valley Cascades will return home to host the UNBC Timberwolves for two games on Oct. 19 and 20. All games can be watched live at canadawest.tv.

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

UFV: #20 Tammer Byrne

VIC: #22 Xavier Araujo