Talk about an epic comeback.
The UNBC Timberwolves women’s soccer found their offensive stroke in the second half storming back to beat the UBC Okanagan Heat 3-2 on Saturday from Masich Place Stadium.
Kjera Hayman notched the game-winner in the 63rd minute past an outstretched Molly Race to give the T-Wolves (1-3-3) their first win of the season.
“I can’t even feel it. It feels unreal, like it’s not even happening,” said Hayman, postgame.
She never stops working, and she was rewarded tonight! Hear from @UNBCWSoccer’s Kjera Hayman after her 2-goal game in the 3-2 victory! pic.twitter.com/gWXXTCx1xM
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) October 3, 2021
Down 2-0 at halftime, the Penticton product kickstarted the comeback, rippling the onion bag in the 51st minute to make it a 2-1 Heat edge.
Shortly after, Monika Johnson took advantage of a Robyn Zinkan pass from midfield, blasting past the UBCO goalkeeper to even up the score.
She went 1814 days between @CanadaWest goals, and @USPORTSca All-Canadian Monika Johnson is back on the sheet! Hear from her after @UNBCWSoccer’s 3-2 comeback win over @UBCOHeat pic.twitter.com/6z6QRx5WKu
— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) October 3, 2021
The Heat were the more dominant team in the first half jumping out to a 2-nil edge courtesy of Stefanie Young and Yvone Manwaring.
UNBC goalkeeper Brooke Molby started her eighth consecutive game and picked up the victory.
In men’s action, it was the Michael Henman show as the Timberwolves (1-4-3) blighted UBCO (1-2-3) by a 4-1 margin earlier in the day.
The Victoria product only needed five minutes to get on the scoresheet, taking a Alex Nielsen pass and rifling it past Heat keeper Nicholas Reitsma.
“It felt great. Finally. I have been getting so many chances and I have been a little hard on myself,” said Henman.
“I am happy to finally get one in the bag.”
GOALLLLL!
Michael Henman puts @UNBCMSoccer up 1-0 on a great dish from Alex Nielson pic.twitter.com/mN92M5Q9Q0— UNBC Athletics (@UNBCATHLETICS) October 2, 2021
14 minutes later, Owen Stewart worked his way into the box, and chipped it over Reitsma to double the UNBC advantage.
Henman’s speed was a factor once again, as he streaked down the field and took a shot that deflected off of Reitsma and onto his face, luckily, Anthony Preston was there to tap it into a gaping net.
In the second half, Gregor Smith recorded his first Canada West marker heading home a perfect Henman pass from a sharp angle.
“It is nice to open the account, especially against my hometown team,” said Smith. “It means a little bit more. I saw the space, coming down the line. I know Mike can put a great ball in. I just saw it and got my head on it. I never thought I would score a header for my first Canada West goal, but it happened and I am stoked.”
Jacob York scored the lone goal in defeat for the Heat.
Daniel Zadravec picked up the win in goal for the Timberwolves.
On Friday, UBCO escaped with a 1-0 win against the Timberwolves off the boot of Owen Spicker in the 90th minute.
In women’s action, Kiana Swift nailed home a late marker to give UNBC a 1-1 draw against the Heat.
Jessica Ambrosio was credited with the UBCO marker.
Both UNBC varsity teams have a bye next weekend.