EDMONTON - The CIS No. 2 University of Alberta Golden Bears soccer team continued their torrid start, remaining undefeated after beating the Thompson Rivers WolfPack 4-2, Sunday afternoon at Foote Field. Following the win, Alberta improves to 9-0-1 in 2016, while dropping the WolfPack to 3-6-1.
Rookie defender Noah Cunningham recorded his first two career goals, while Calum Jardine and Canada West goal leader Ajeej Sarkaria also found the twine for Alberta. First-year Keenan Wallace and sophomore Olamide Ajibike meanwhile, scored for the 'Pack.
Alberta, fresh off the heels of a 3-1 win over the UBCO Heat on Friday, picked up right where they left off, adding to their conference goal lead with a tally in the 7th minute. Senior defender Niko Saler's corner kick found the waiting head of Cunningham, who was able to slot the ball in behind Claye Harsany.
The Golden Bears continued their relentless offensive attack throughout the opening 45 minutes, dominating possession of the ball. Jardine would capitalize on the Bears effort, tipping in the Niko Saler free kick to give Alberta the 2-0 lead.
Before the half was out, Cunningham would find the scoresheet once again, sending an absolute bullet of a shot past Harsany from 32 yards outside the WolfPack net.
The home side, who owned only a slight 7-4 shot advantage after one half, would increase their lead to four with a Sarkaria marker in the 60th minute. The Edmonton striker found a gap in the TRU defence, sliding behind coverage before heading in the Victor Karosan corner. Sarakria's tally was his 14th of the season, which sets a new Alberta program high for goals in a season, while putting the Edmonton native just one behind the conference record, set in 2015 by Calgary Dino Dominic Russo.
Despite being down by four, TRU seemed to wake up midway through the second half, controlling the game for upwards of 15 minutes. Ajibike was able tho break the Alberta clean sheet in the 72nd minute, as he raced in on a breakaway following a Bear turnover, sliding a confident shot past a helpless Connor James.
Wallace would cut the Bears lead to just two only five minutes later, blowing a shot from 17 yards out past a screened James.
That, however, was as close as the visiting side would get, as Alberta drained the final minutes.
The Prairie Division leading Alberta Golden Bears will look to remain perfect next weekend, as they visit the 6-2 Calgary Dinos and 6-2-2 Mount Royal Cougars.
Connor Hood - Golden Bears and Pandas Athletics