PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – Despite their best efforts, the UNBC men's soccer Timberwolves can't catch a break against the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades.
Second half substitute Elijah Sampson (Abbotsford, B.C.) provided the lone goal in the 60th minute as the Cascades defeated the Timberwolves 1-0, spoiling UNBC's home opener and beating the Timberwolves for the sixth time in seven all-time CIS matches.
The Cascades (3-2-0) outshot the Timberwolves (1-4-0) 10-4, and got more shots on goal by a 6-2 margin in an intense encounter on both sides.
Neither keeper had a lot of work in this match, but UNBC's Tyrone Venhola (Abbotsford, B.C.) and Fraser Valley's Alex Skrzeta (Coquitlam, B.C.) were solid when called upon.
The Timberwolves had great chances in the opening minutes of the game, highlighted by a shot from Conrad Rowlands (Chilliwack, B.C.) that just missed the target.
Fraser Valley had a hard getting much momentum going in the first half, managing just one shot, but they hung around to keep the game scoreless through 45 minutes.
The Cascades broke through in the 60th minute off a corner kick from captain Colton O'Neill (Abbotsford, B.C.) The ball bounced around the box, and an attempt from Connor O'Neill (Abbotsford, B.C.) hit the post, but Sampson was there to bury the rebound for the game's only goal.
Fraser Valley asserted themselves throughout the pitch in the final 30 minutes, creating more scoring opportunities while preventing the Timberwolves from threatening their goal.
UNBC's best chance at getting an equalizer came in the 86th minute, as they had a set piece opportunity from about 30 yards out. However, the attempt from Francesco Bartolillo (Calgary, Alta.) sailed high over the net, and the Timberwolves would get no closer.
The Timberwolves and Cascades will complete the back end of their weekend doubleheader as part of a Sunday doubleheader involving the women's soccer Timberwolves and CIS No. 6 Cascades.
The women's soccer Timberwolves and Cascades take the field at noon, followed by the men at 2:15 p.m.
UNBC's men's squad will get a boost in the form of Gordon Hall (Chilliwack, B.C.), who was suspended for Saturday's match after accumulating three yellow cards.
Both matches will be available on CanadaWest.TV, which is now a subscription service. A single-day pass costs $3.75 USD, a single-sport season pass costs $22.50 USD, and a multi-sport season pass costs $33.75 USD.