Jeremy Laurie, UBC Athletics

VANCOUVER - A goal in the 82nd minute from late-game, rookie substitution Mackenzie Cole helped lift the UBC Thunderbirds men's soccer team to victory over the Lethbridge Pronghorns. Friday night's 2-1 victory at Thunderbird Stadium advances the T-Birds to the Canada West Final Four next Saturday.

Lethbridge displayed strong defence throughout the match, helping the Pronghorns maintain a one goal lead for over 60-minutes. Stellar goaltending from Lethbridge's Nolan French was a large part of why the 'Birds, despite outshooting the Horns 26-6, were unable to capitalize until late in the game. 


UBC head coach Mike Mosher knew that defeating the Pronghorns, who handed UBC their lone loss of the regular season, was not going to be an easy task.  

"[The Pronghorns are] a good team. They fight, and make it difficult. We knew…this was not going to be an easy game," he said. "Credit to our guys. We said at half-time to just persevere [and] we will find a way." 

Cole, whose clutch game-winner marked his first goal as a T-Bird, was happy he could contribute at such a crucial point in the post-season. 

"I was in the right place at the right time. Zach did all the work, I just had to tap it in. [It was] a good way to score my first goal, [and] I'm glad we are moving on," said Cole. 

It was Lethbridge that struck first, with midfielder Sean Gaiesky feeding Chris Rushworth who rifled it past Bush in the 14th minute. Rushworth led his team in goals and assists through the regular season. 

Despite UBC maintaining possession for much of the first half, sturdy Lethbridge defence forced the 'Birds to take shots from awkward angles. Some nifty moves from Kerman Pannu and a bomb from Ryan Arthur that sailed inches wide of the left post helped reignite the Thunderbird's offence in the final ten minutes of the first half, but UBC still couldn't locate the tying goal before halftime. 

In the 60th Titouin Chopin was awarded a penalty shot after being tripped a few feet from the Pronghorns net. Chopin blasted the ball underneath a diving French, giving his team the equalizer. 

Just over twenty minutes later, Zach Verhoven put his footwork on display as he outsmarted a pair of Lethbridge defenders before delivering a beautiful cross to Mackenzie Cole who tucked in the go ahead goal. UBC held off Lethbridge  through the dying minutes, securing the playoff victory. 

The win moves UBC into the Canada West Final Four, which will be played on Saturday, November 5. Their opponent is yet to be decided.