EDMONTON - Rookie striker Ajeej Sarkaria recorded his second hat-trick of the season, as the CIS No. 2 Alberta Golden Bears defeated the visiting UBCO Heat 3-0, Saturday afternoon at Foote Field. 

Sarkaria's hat-trick improved his Canada West goal total to 13 through nine conference games. The Edmonton product also pushed his conference leading point total to 17, which is seven more than Calgary Dino Dominic Russo. 

Third-year keeper Connor James made five stops to earn his fifth shutout of the season. Nikhil

Reddy scored the lone goal for UBCO. 

Sarkaria opened the scoring just six minutes into the match, as he received a soft pass from Bruno Zebie outside the 18 yard box, made a pair of Heat miss with an inside-out move, before calmly chipping the ball over Mitch McCaw's outstretched hand for the incredible tally.  

It would take only 11 minutes for Sarkaria to add to his total, opening up a 2-0 Alberta lead in the 15th minute. Fifth-year defender Niko Saler played in a terrific through ball that found a way through a maze of Heat, finding Sarkaria alone in the crease. His initial shot was stopped by McCaw, but the rookie was able to find the rebound and punch it into the yawning cage. 

Alberta, who would outshoot their foe 9-2 in the opening 45, were unable to increase their lead before half despite numerous opportunities, including a pair of free kicks from 20 yards out. 

With a two goal leading tow, Alberta played much more passive in the second half, allowing UBCO to take over partial control of the game. UBCO fired another five shots towards the Alberta net, with a Cole Kingzett shot in the 51st minute hitting James' glove, before the post, and staying out. 

The Heat would eventually find a way past the Alberta defence in the 80th minute, as Reddy received a pass from Ryan Jerry off a UBCO free kick, then expertly finding the bottom corner to cut the Alberta lead in half. 

Sarkaria would seal the Alberta win in the 90th minute, racing in on a breakaway after a massive Heat turnover, easily sliding the ball past a helpless McCaw.  

With the win, Alberta stays undefeated in 2016, improving to 8-0-1. UBCO, meanwhile, falls to 3-3-1 after the two goal loss. 

Alberta will continue their home-stand tomorrow, as they battle the Thompson Rivers WolfPack at Foote Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. 

Connor Hood - Golden Bears and Pandas Athletics