On Friday, the men's soccer team defeated the University of Fraser Valley Cascades 4–2, winning a nail-biting game full of tension and momentum swings in Abbotsford. With this tough victory, the Thunderbirds cemented their position as the top team in the Canada West division and therefore a home playoff berth.
UBC is a formidable force on the field and was rated second in the country, only behind Montreal, going into the game. They played with offensive prowess, and although UFV outshot the ‘Birds 16–12, the team’s combined defence and offensive kept the Cascades at bay.
Thunderbird Chris Lee scored the first goal of the match barely four minutes into play, courtesy of a well-placed pass from Henri Godbout. UFV exerted significant pressure on the Thunderbirds for the remainder of the first half, but UBC stood firm and repelled many Cascade assaults to preserve their narrow advantage. The only noteworthy incident was UBC’s Lucas Dasovic being given a yellow card at the 45th minute for pressing an opposing player in the back and causing him to fall.
The fireworks, meanwhile, really started in the second half. UFV’s Mateo Brazinha turned the score with a crisp goal just under 20 minutes in. Two minutes later, teammate Kevin Mainland's incredible strike put UBC on the back foot and gave the Cascades a 2–1 lead.
Fortunately, the Thunderbirds' response was spectacular. Godbout earned a goal, assisted by Eric Kim, and levelled the score two minutes after Mainland's, setting up an exciting conclusion. UBC regained momentum and shortly after, Luke Norman scored the game-winning goal, assisted by Lee. Joven Mann and Norman combined for a startling fourth goal in the last minutes of play to seal the win, finishing the match with two more goals than the opposing team.
After the weekend, the team has a 11–1–3 record with a .833 winning percentage. Following their Saturday win (1–0) in a pivotal encounter with Trinity Western University, UBC is getting ready for the Canada West quarter-finals. Their chances of getting the crown for a third time in a row will be greatly increased too, as this last win guaranteed them a home field advantage during the playoffs.
Catch the Thunderbirds playing against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns at Thunderbird Stadium on Friday, October 25 at 7 p.m. as they hope to continue their winning ways into the postseason.
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