Devin Gunenc battled all game and was rewarded for his efforts as he scored the lone goal in the 73rd minute as the UBC Thunderbirds defeat over their island rivals, the Victoria Vikes, 1-0 Friday night at Thunderbird Park.
The win moves the Thunderbirds (6-3-0) into sole possession of second place in the Canada West, 2 points clear of the Vikes (5-3-1) and one point ahead of the idle Alberta Golden Bears.
The match was chippy and, at times, rough seeing a rare double-red card handed out in the 52nd minute when UBC's
Will Hyde and UVic's William Gye each went after a free ball. Both went reckless resulting in each player limping to their respective sidelines.
"It was a funny game that lacked intensity at times but those are the games you have to find a way to win," said UBC head coach
Mike Mosher.
With ten men a side play soon opened up. The teams traded chances before a quick, long throw-in by sub
Ashley Ankiewicz deflected to an unmarked Gunenc who drilled a strike on the half volley that ricocheted off the right post past Vikes' keeper Daniel Kilpatrick.
"It was a battler's game and Devin battled hard tonight, he does the things that often go unnoticed and he deserved that goal tonight," added Mosher.
There were some tense moments late in the match with Victoria desperately seeking the equalizer. The 85th minute saw the Vikes gain the UBC zone with numbers and put a through ball past the the defence but UBC keeper
Nikolai Matni smartly charged and covered the ball. Matni added three saves for his second clean sheet of the season.
Perhaps Victoria's best chance came four minutes later on a cross from defender James Rhodes that found the head of midfielder Miguel Romeo who headed the ball just wide of the UBC goal.
The Thunderbirds continue their home stand next Friday, October 16th, against archrival Trinity Western who sit atop the Canada West table. The Vikes look to recover from an 0-2 weekend against BC opponents when they host Fraser Valley on October 17th.
