The UNBC men’s soccer squad continued its heated rivalry against the Thompson Rivers Wolfpack (TRU) on Sunday to conclude the opening weekend of the Canada West soccer season.
The Timberwolves would nab their first win of the year by a score of 2-1, holding on to an early undefeated record of 1-0-1.
What a weekend! @UNBCMSoccer beats @GoTRUWolfPack 2-1 on goals from Rowlands & Gysbers. Timberwolves take 4 points to open @CanadaWest year!
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) August 27, 2017
After a tentative start, the T-Wolves had the majority of chances in the first half, which was highlighted by the excellent effort of Tofa Fakunle outworking a Wolfpack defender, and then fed the ball to Stuart Rowlands, who booted it past opposing goalkeeper Lubomir Magdolen for the lead.
“I have had quite a bit of trouble finishing actually,” says Rowlands.
“Counting the first three weeks of pre-season this was my first goal in a U-Sports game, but for now I am pretty happy with it and can’t complain.”
Mitchell Popadynetz potted his second goal of the weekend for TRU, striking it past a sprawled out Ty Venhola to tie the game at one apiece.
UNBC had a chance to retake the lead before the end of the first half as Dan Goodey ripped a hard shot into the chest of Magdolen.
TRU had a chance to take the lead when James Fraser broke through defenders and shot it past Venhola, but Conrad Rowlands booted it out before it went in.
The Wolfpack continued to hem the T-Wolves deep in their zone led by a Finaly McPhie golden opportunity to score, but ripped wide of the goal.
Cody Gysbers gave UNBC the led following a strong corner kick from Goodey heading it past Magdolen for a 2-1 lead.
Anatoli Leveille could have tied it for TRU, but was robbed point blank by Venhola holding the T-Wolves’ 2-1 eventual victory.
Timberwolves Head Coach Steve Simonson was a little more vocal behind the bench who says there was a simple reason for that.
“The players weren’t great, we looked tired and not confident so I felt I had give them that and some more direction and that is why I did it – just to will them over the line as we were up against it for a big part of that game.”
First-year player Joel Watson got his first action of the season after subbing off Jonah Smith.
UNBC will hit the road next weekend to play the Trinity Western University Spartans.
SCOREBOARD:
- UBC-Okanagan Heat 2, Douglas College Royals 0
- MacEwan Griffins 3, Mount Royal Cougars 2
- Alberta Golden Bears 5, Calgary Dinos 0
- Saskatchewan Huskies 2, Lethbridge Pronghorns 1
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