This past weekend, UBC men’s soccer claimed their 14th national title, ripping through the U Sports championship tournament with wins over the University of New Brunswick Reds, the McGill University Redbirds and the Université de Montréal Carabins.
After winning the Canada West conference championship on November 1, the Thunderbirds entered nationals in Ottawa as the number one seed.
Beginning their bid for a crown on Thursday, the ‘Birds defeated the Reds 4–2 in a high-scoring quarterfinal. First-year forwards Henri Godbout and Joven Mann each bagged two goals for the Thunderbirds, with Mann striking early in the sixth minute.
Though he failed to score himself, second-year midfielder Luke Norman was a boon for UBC’s offence, firing three shots on goal and assisting both of Mann’s points. Oliver Herbert, a fellow second-year midfielder, assisted Godbout’s first shot toward the beginning of the second period.
The Reds never held a lead, despite matching UBC for 11 shots on goal. Goalkeeper Bennett McKay was key to maintaining a ‘Birds’ advantage, with nine saves against two goals-allowed.
Advancing to a semifinal match-up against McGill, UBC emerged with the 3–0 victory in Friday’s battle of the ‘Birds.
The game mirrored the quarterfinals: Norman and Mann’s connection again claimed an early lead for UBC, though with roles reversed. In the third minute, Mann gained possession off a heavy touch from a Redbird defender, then sent a cross to Norman, who smashed the ball into the back of the net.
Though the remainder of the first period was scoreless, the Thunderbirds continued to put pressure on the Redbirds, firing seven shots in contrast to three from McGill. Meanwhile, the Redbirds struggled to make headway against UBC’s defence.
UBC scored early in the second period through the Godbout-Herbert connection, again with roles reversed. Driving into McGill’s penalty box, Godbout, swarmed by red jerseys, passed out left to Herbert. It looked like McGill’s goalkeeper would stop Herbert’s shot, but the ball squeezed through his legs, giving UBC the 2–0 lead.
Another goal by Norman, assisted by Godbout minutes after Herbert’s point, bumped the scoreboard to 3–0 and crushed McGill’s hopes of moving on to the championship game.
The Thunderbirds advanced to the gold medal game alongside Montréal, marking both teams’ second appearance in the national title game since 2022. With everything on the line, the storied programs fought fiercely from first to final whistle.
Goalkeeper McKay was UBC’s saviour on Sunday. The Carabins dominated in shots-on-goal, with 10 compared to UBC’s measly 2. However, thanks to 10 saves by McKay, the match remained scoreless for the first 90 minutes.
Montréal looked close to victory in the 88th minute, when a Carabin curled a shot toward UBC’s goal. McKay punched the ball away, then held off a nail-biting second effort as the Carabins closed in on the net.
After little action near Montréal’s goal, the Thunderbirds managed to ramp up their offensive pressure in stoppage time. With just moments remaining in regulation, UBC’s Chris Lee fired the ball into the Carabins’ penalty box. Amid a chaotic field, Mann leaped for the ball, heading his first shot of the match into the net for the sole goal of the game. Just minutes later, with UBC leading at 1–0, time expired.
The win secured UBC’s first national championship since 2013, while the Carabins lost their second consecutive national championship. The ‘Birds continue to top U Sports with 14 national titles in program history; the next-most successful programs own 5.
With four goals total — including his gold-clinching score — Mann was named tournament MVP. Meanwhile, Godbout, McKay and defenders Lucas Dasovic and Eric Lajeunesse were named championship all-stars. This Thunderbirds squad, brimming with young talent, looks to be successful for years to come — a scary prospect for opposing teams.
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