Even without five regulars in the lineup, the UNBC Timberwolves found a way to put up their grittiest performance of the men’s soccer season.
For the first time since joining the Canada West, the T-Wolves handed the Alberta Golden Bears their first loss of the season, coming away with a 2-0 victory at Masich Place Stadium, in front of a full set of bleachers made up students from School District 57.
Fifth-year goalkeeper Daniel Zadravec led the charge for UNBC with an eight-save clean sheet.
His best stop of the match came in the 15th minute when Alberta striker Marcus Velado-Tsegaye had a partial breakaway following a Timberwolves corner kick but was denied by the sprawling Zadravec.
MSOC | Our first game of the day is underway! ⚽️
Daniel Zadravec with an 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 save early to keep host UNBC scoreless with undefeated Alberta.@UNBCATHLETICS | @UNBCMSoccer 🐺
Watch live > https://t.co/pDozYW0AV8 📺 pic.twitter.com/vPI7uLz2eC
— Canada West (@CanadaWest) September 22, 2023
Secondary scoring was just what the doctor ordered for UNBC as Isaac Tate took the ball inside the Alberta zone, put on a dazzling performance of dribbling and squeezed a shot past goalkeeper Chris Ezoua for a 1-0 edge at halftime.
MSOC | And now we have our first GOAL of the day
– and it was a beauty 😍
Isaac Tate takes on MULTIPLE Alberta defenders and puts it home for his first CW goal! @UNBCATHLETICS | @UNBCMSoccer pic.twitter.com/rtSHhek7QX
— Canada West (@CanadaWest) September 22, 2023
It was Tate’s first goal at the Canada West level.
Despite being severely outshot and not having the time of possession edge, the Timberwolves continued their bend but don’t break defense, keeping the Golden Bears to the perimeter.
In the 60th minute, Charlie Stewart added to the UNBC lead as a miscue inside the Alberta backline led to the 2nd year player rippling the onion bag for a 2-0 edge.
With the win, UNBC improves to 2-5-1 on the season, while Alberta drops to 4-1-1.
Hear from @BearsandPandas veteran defender Eric Gehlert after the Bears’ 2-0 loss to @UNBCMSoccer pic.twitter.com/hSZyCrfOTM
— UNBC Timberwolves (@UNBCATHLETICS) September 22, 2023
The Timberwolves were without Wyatt Lyon, Connor Lewis, Gregor Smith, Zack Sidhu and Hagon Kim.
UNBC takes on the Lethbridge Pronghorns (3-2-3) at Noon from Masich Place Stadium.
Lethbridge doubled up the Fraser Valley Cascades on Friday by a 2-1 score in Abbotsford.
In women’s action, the Timberwolves dropped a 3-0 decision to the Alberta Pandas.
The turning point of the game came in the 28th minute where Kambria Mellum was called for a tackle inside the UNBC box on an Alberta attacker, awarding the visitors with a penalty kick.
Midfielder Wanda Czebreszuk took the kick and beat UNBC goalkeeper Brittyn Hinsche for a 1-0 lead.
Receiving all the momentum from that goal, Alberta continued to pound the Timberwolves into submission with their aggressive attack.
Seven minutes later, a 40-yard blast by Erin Hope, found its way past Hinsche, giving Alberta a 2-0 edge at halftime.
Emily Duxbury added an insurance marker in the 68th minute after a broken play inside the UNBC box.
Hinsche made 12 saves on 15 Panda shots in defeat while Autymn Wynn pitched a three-save shutout for the visitors.
Alberta improves to 3-3-3 on the season while the Timberwolves drop to 0-6-1.
The Mr Mikes Player of the Game, Sarah Lepine, talks after her tremendous performance against the Alberta Pandas pic.twitter.com/JMteY2Kegn
— UNBC Timberwolves (@UNBCATHLETICS) September 23, 2023
UNBC hosts the MacEwan Griffins (6-1-1) at 2:15 from Masich Place Stadium on Sunday.