T-Birds knock table-topping United Brothers down a peg with tie at Wright Field

On a blistering day at home for the men’s field hockey team, the ’Birds upped their firepower with a 4-4 draw against league leader United Brothers in front of their home fans.

After a quiet start to the match, UBC upped the ante at the 18 minute mark as the forward line put the ball in the back of the net from close-range off a scrambly front-of-net play. Though the United Brothers’ keeper moved to kick the ball out of harm’s way, UBC still managed to break the stalemate.

It would take United Brothers just five minutes to get one back, with a passing play between midfielders ending with the ball being struck into the top corner of the net.

With six to go in the half, the ’Birds would once again put themselves ahead as forward John Sharp put a hard, low shot into the bottom of the net off a pass from Liam Fannin.

At the restart, it only took UBC three minutes to double their lead. As team captain Gordon Johnston made a quick pass up field, Sharp put the ball into the penalty circle for an awaiting Paul Jelkmann. After a mad scramble with the United Brothers’ defence and goaltender, Jelkmann rocketed the ball home on the volley.

Their lead would only last into the dying minutes of the game, as United Brothers put two goals away in just over ten minutes to square things up at 3-3. From there, it was a scramble to get the go-ahead — and hopefully final — goal.

UBC would manage to find the net and take that lead, as Johnston let his shot fly off a penalty corner straight into the top right corner of the net — United Brothers barely had a chance to run off the goal line before the ball rippled the netting.

As it looked more and more like the ’Birds would come out on top, United Brothers spoiled the party with five minutes left in the half, as another scrambling play in front of the net ended in a goal for the visitors.

The win puts UBC at a 2-1-1 record in the Vancouver Men’s Field Hockey League. Next up, the T-Birds have another home game against the Vancouver Hawks at noon on October 21.

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