Chalk it up to another 'learning experience' for the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack men's soccer team.
In what coach John Antulov described as a hard fought effort, the WolfPack fell to CIS power house University of British Columbia Thunderbirds 2-0 in Canada West play on Friday (Sept 25) in Vancouver. The loss drops the WolfPack to a win and two defeats in league play.
UBC led 2-0 after the first half.
"Our guys are disappointed with the result because they did play hard," said Antulov. "Tactically what we prepared for against UBC worked out well. The second goal they scored was an 'own goal' and on the first goal, they scored on a break down by us five minutes in'.
Antulov said on the first goal, which came off a corner kick, his team was slow to react and it cost them.
The WolfPack did have a couple of good scoring chances: by Kyle Fertile (5th year, midfield, Kamloops, BC) who shot wide on an opportunity and then late in the game when Mitch Popadynetz (2nd year, forward, Nelson, BC) rang it off the net.
"We definitely have something to build on," Antulov stated. "They are a quality team and we battled to the end. Hopefully we will have a better result tomorrow."
The WolfPack will visit the Vikes in Victoria on Saturday (Sept 26).
Their next home match is Saturday, October 10 th when they entertain the University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat at Hillside Stadium. Game time is 7 pm.