How is that for a debut.
Jamie Wildash-Chan played the hero in his first two Canada West men’s soccer games for the UNBC Timberwolves scoring the game-winner in each of their 2-1 wins Friday and Sunday over the TRU Wolfpack from Masich Place Stadium.
In the 55th minute of the Sunday matinee, Wildash-Chan, just after a UNBC free kick, let a 20-yard strike go then went under the crossbar and past goalkeeper Luca Ortu.
UNBC started strong in the 2nd half after playing to a scoreless draw in the opening 45 minutes. Isaac Tate electrified the home crowd by rippling the onion bag via a Wyatt Lyon pass.
Lachlan Will responded with a goal of his own for TRU in the 59th minute. Logan Pierce made six saves in the Timberwolves crease.
On Friday, Wildash-Chan made no mistake on a long volley set up by Lyon, cradling the ball into his legs before sending a hard boot from close range past Ortu prior to halftime.
Koss Nystedt got the offensive party started moments earlier for UNBC bunting home a loose ball following a corner-kick to even the score at 1-1.
TRU drew first blood eight minutes courtesy of Abdel Coulibaly.
It was a chippy game between the rival schools seeing no shortage of physicality on and off the ball. Domenico Comita and Amir Ghasemi each recieved yellow cards for the Wolfpack while one was also assessed to UNBC’s Luke Graham late in the match.
Lyon, who came back to the T-Wolves (2-0) after missing all of last season, ended the night with two assists while Pierce turned away five TRU shots.
In women’s action, UNBC lost a hard-fought rematch to the Wolfpack 1-0 on Sunday.
The lone goal off the match came off the boot of Albanian striker Esi Lufo in the 62nd minute who capitalized off a defensive breakdown.
UNBC carried the play for much of the contest, generating more speed and opportunities in the TRU side of half.
Local product Maddy Heal had a strong outing in her first career Canada West start for UNBC, replacing the injured Laney Stewart in the midfield.
Fellow rookie RJ Barfoot also registered a pair of shots on goal in defeat while German goalkeeper Johanna Rathke made 10 saves for the 0-2 Timberwolves.
On Friday, TRU cruised to a 5-0 victory in the season opener.
Lufo once again was an offensive force for the Wolfpack scoring twice on five shots. Finnish import Sara Kuusimaki began the scoring four minutes into the game.
Nat Seiz and Layla Rafou added singles late in the game for the visitors.
Rathke turned aside nine Wolfpack shots on 14 attempts. Maresha Manulak and Kate Rattee registered two shots on goal apiece in defeat for UNBC.
The UNBC men put their undefeated record on the line next weekend in Langley against Trinity Western (0-2) Friday and Saturday at 7:05pm.
On the women’s side, the Timberwolves head to Fraser Valley to play the Cascades in a battle of 0-2 teams Thursday and Friday in Abbotsford.
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